Kinematics and structure of a plasma-focus current sheath during its radial implosion stage

Measurements of the light intensity emitted by the current sheath in a plasma focus device are presented. For operating deuterium pressures in the range of 1-4 mbar, radial velocity and acceleration data are given, and, making some assumptions about the characteristics of the radiation emerging from the plasma, its transversal density profile is derived. An interpretation of the structure thus obtained is also given. It is consistent with the strong shock wave theory when the acceleration of the current sheath is taken into account