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U.S. Department of Energy
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Restrike particle beam experiments on a dense plasma focus. Interim annual report 30 Sep 80-30 Sep 81

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6692287
Diagnostic tools (especially an electron magnetic spectrometer and a fast Faraday cup) have been used to measure the scaling of parameters of the particle beams generated in a plasma focus with the current flowing in the circuit just before the radial collapse of the pinch, IMB. The results show that negative power law energy spectra of the electrons are observed where the exponent of that power law, x (x>0), scales as I(MB) (-1.15 + or - 0.2) and thus the energy spectra get harder with increasing I(MB). The peak in the fast electron current scales as I(MB) (2.9 + or -0.5) and reaches a value of 15 kA for I(MB) approx. 450 1A. Preliminary experiments show the fast electrons occur simultaneously (+5nsec) with a peak in I(MB) which supports a model that current interruption is the accelerating mechanism for the particle beams. The results of other experiments testing this model and some of the implications for the application of the plasma focus as an opening switch are discussed.
Research Organization:
Illinois Univ., Urbana (USA). Fusion Studies Lab.
OSTI ID:
6692287
Report Number(s):
AD-A-114244/7
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English