Multi-wire array Z-pinch studies

Summary form only given, as follows. Multi-wire Z-pinch experiments have been performed using Cornell´s XP pulsed power generator (450 kA peak current, 100 ns). W, Al and Cu wire arrays with 2-8 wires, 1 cm in length, 7.5-25 /spl mu/m in diameter were studied. Since our generator cannot drive large cylindrical arrays, we are concentrating on the study of linear and curved sector multi-wire configurations. A global magnetic field was provided by the return current path, which was located /spl sim/2.5 mm above the wire array. The diagnostic techniques included two channels of shearing interferometer separated by 20 ns using the second harmonic of a Nd:YAG laser (/spl lambda/=532 nm, 5 ns) and an x-ray backlighter. The plasma merging driven by the wire currents and bulk movement driven by the global field were observed. The plasma density and evolution velocity were measured. The interferometer data provided information on the electron density and the x-ray backlighting data gave the mass (ion) density. Combining these results gives the ionization state of the plasma surrounding the wires. The effects of wire material, wire diameter and wire array configurations may also be discussed.