Z-pinch experiments on 'Module A5-1'

The authors performed an investigation of the dynamics of imploding liners which were accelerated by a magnetic field pressure and an investigation of hot dense plasma production in the region of a developing neck for a hydrogen-like Z-pinch. Experiments were performed on the Module A5-1 installation, operated in the regime with low source resistance (0.04 Ohm). It made it possible to run the current I_max = 2.5 MA in 100 ns in the case when a liner was used as a load and I_max = 1.3 MA in the case when a pinch was used. The liner was formed by supersonic annular helium or deuterium gas jets. A thin plasma shell was found to exist when an axial magnetic field was used. The shell kept stability during the entire acceleration up to the axis till full compression time. In experiments on a quick dense Z-pinch the conditions of pinch neck development were investigated.