EXPERIMENTAL-STUDY ON THE DYNAMICS OF A CYLINDRICAL PLASMA SHEATH IN A GAS-PUFF Z-PINCH DEVICE

The dynamics of a hollow cylindrical plasma sheath produced in a gas-puff z-pinch device were studied with a differential interferometer. The velocity of the imploding plasma during three stages of compression, the minimum radius of the pinched plasma column, the hot spots and the x-ray emissions were measured. The effect of the parameters of the gas cylinder on the plasma properties and x-ray emission was investigated with three different nozzles. Not only the gas density but also the distribution may influence the process of implosion. The experiments show that a thinner gas sheath produces a higher velocity of compression and higher x-ray yield. An interesting phenomenon of multiple pinch was observed. X-rays may be emitted at different locations and different instants.