Observation of Fast Current Redistribution in an Imploding Plasma Column

Stollberg, Christine; Kroupp, E.; Mikitchuk, D.; Sharma, P.; Bernshtam, V.; Cvejić, M.; Doron, R.; Stambulchik, E.; Maron, Y.; Fruchtman, A.; Ochs, I. E.; Fisch, N. J.; Shumlak, U.

doi:10.1103/physrevlett.130.205101

DOE OSTI · 2417891

Observation of Fast Current Redistribution in an Imploding Plasma Column

Stollberg, Christine·Kroupp, E.·Mikitchuk, D.·Sharma, P.·Bernshtam, V.·Cvejić, M.·Doron, R.·Stambulchik, E.·Maron, Y.·Fruchtman, A.·Ochs, I. E.·Fisch, N. J.·Shumlak, U.

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Abstract

Spectroscopic measurements of the magnetic field evolution in a Z-pinch throughout stagnation and with particularly high spatial resolution reveal a sudden current redistribution from the stagnating plasma (SP) to a low-density plasma (LDP) at larger radii, while the SP continues to implode. Based on the plasma parameters it is shown that the current is transferred to an increasing-conductance LDP outside the stagnation, a process likely to be induced by the large impedance of the SP. In conclusion, since an LDP often exists around imploding plasmas and in various pulsed-power systems, such a fast current redistribution may dramatically affect the behavior and achievable parameters in these systems.

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Stollberg, Christine, Kroupp, E., Mikitchuk, D., Sharma, P., Bernshtam, V., Cvejić, M., Doron, R., Stambulchik, E., Maron, Y., Fruchtman, A., Ochs, I. E., Fisch, N. J., Shumlak, U.. 2023-05-19. Observation of Fast Current Redistribution in an Imploding Plasma Column. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.130.205101

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