Spectroscopic measurements of an imploding Z-pinch plasma

Summary form only given. The structure of an imploding plasma, in an annular gas-puffed 1.2 /spl mu/sec, 350 kA Z-pinch is investigated. Absolute intensities and spectral profiles of lines of ions up to the sixth ionization stage are observed along the chord and along the axial direction. The magnetic field distribution in the plasma is determined from Zeeman splitting by discrimination against the Stark and Doppler broadenings, using polarization spectroscopy ionization times and line ratios, together with the time dependent CR calculations, are used to determine the electron temperature. The ion velocity distributions are observed in the radial and the axial directions from Doppler broadenings and shifts. The electron density is determined from Stark broadening and the continuum. The current density and the skin depth are obtained from the magnetic field distribution, also giving the plasma conductivity. This yields the Ohmic heating as a function of time and radius. The measurements of the electron temperature, the conductivity, and the ion velocities allow the various heating contributions (including electron heat conduction, electron-ion heat exchange, and compression) to be calculated. The line intensities of various charge states and the electron density and temperature allow the energy losses due to ionization and radiation to be estimated.