Structure of a Plasma-Focus Current Sheath from Magnetic and Optical Measurements

Simultaneous measurements of the magnetic-field distribution and the light intensity emitted by the current sheath (CS) generated in a Plasma Focus (PF) device are presented. For operating deuterium pressures in the range 0.55-2.5 mbar, we derive the plasma density and the mean hydrodynamic velocity in a frame of reference fixed to the sheath, where both quantities are in agreement with the ones predicted by the strong ionizing shock theory. The electric field in the quoted frame is also deduced, and the obtained values are consistent with those reported by other authors.