Effect of targets on plasma focus dynamics

• Published in: IEEE transactions on plasma science Vol. 18; no. 6; pp. 1028 - 1032
• Main Authors: Lee, S., Alabraba, M.A., Gholap, A.V., Kumar, S., Kwek, K.H., Nisar, M., Rawat, R.S., Singh, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01.12.1990; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Subjects: Anodes; Exact sciences and technology; Extraterrestrial measurements; Neutrons; Particle beams; Physics; Physics of gases, plasmas and electric discharges; Physics of plasmas and electric discharges; Plasma devices; Plasma measurements; Plasma properties; Plasma sources; Production; Wire; Plasma focus; Solid target; Experimental study; Disk; Plasma dynamics; Shadowscopy
• ISSN: 0093-3813; 1939-9375
• DOI: 10.1109/27.61519

Shadowgraphs were taken of a 3-kJ plasma focus in the presence of a flat disc target placed downstream of the anode and a 1-mm wire target inserted along the axis at the anode. It was found that: (i) the flat disc target does not affect the dynamics of the focus proper when it is placed downstream at a distance greater than the anode radius; (ii) the current sheet moves over the disc and forms a pinch beyond it as though the disc had become a new anode; and (iii) the plasma focuses strongly onto a 1-mm wire on-axis. These observations may be used to design beam-target experiments in a plasma focus machine. They indicate the possibility of focus-fiber experiments, and also raise the possibility of and indicate the guidelines for designing a sequential focus device.< >