High-current pinches in xenon. II. Z pinch

Journal Article · Wed Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1977 · Sov. Phys. - Tech. Phys. (Engl. Transl.); (United States)

OSTI ID:5174115

Andreev, S I; Baikov, O G; Dashuk, P N; Popov, P G

A continuous cylindrical plasma shell is produced at initial xenon pressures up to 760 torr through the use of a grazing discharge along the inner surface of the discharge chamber. Under conditions such that the initial collapse velocity of the plasma ring is above 4 km/sec, the gaskinetic pressure is negligible compared with the magnetic pressure, and the discharge occurs in the magnetogasdynamic regime. At collapse velocities below 2 km/sec the gaskinetic pressure dominates, and the discharge occurs in the gasdynamic regime. Comparison of THETA and Z pinches under identical conditions shows that when the ratio of the length of the discharge chamber to the chamber diameter does not exceed two the THETA pinch yields more efficient plasma heating. Brightness temperatures up to 13,000/sup 0/K in the visible region are achieved at a current rate of rise of approx.5 x 10/sup 11/ A/sec in a plasma layer 10 cm in diameter and 14 cm long. It is noted that similarity methods cannot be applied to radiating discharges.

• OSTI ID: 5174115
• Journal Information: Sov. Phys. - Tech. Phys. (Engl. Transl.); (United States), Journal Name: Sov. Phys. - Tech. Phys. (Engl. Transl.); (United States) Vol. 22:6; ISSN SPTPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700101* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Confinement
Heating
& Production
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELEMENTS
FLUID MECHANICS
LINEAR PINCH DEVICES
LINEAR Z PINCH DEVICES
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETOGASDYNAMICS
MECHANICS
NONMETALS
OPEN PLASMA DEVICES
PINCH DEVICES
RARE GASES
SHOCK WAVES
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
XENON