Eur. Phys. J. D (2014) 68: 160
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjd/e2014-50099-1

Regular Article

Investigation of a 5 kJ conical Z-pinch discharge

¹ Plasma and Nuclear Fusion Department, N.R.C., Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, 13759 Inshaas, Abu Zaabal, Egypt
² Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Banha University, 13518 Benha, Egypt
³ Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, 11884 Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt

^a e-mail: mohamed.abdalhalim@fsc.bu.edu.eg

Received: 3 February 2014
Received in final form: 15 March 2014
Published online: 23 June 2014

Abstract

A conical 5 kJ Z-pinch experiment with 35 μs discharge time was constructed and operated. Preliminary results showed that the total circuit parameters are 287 nH inductance and 13 mΩ total resistance. The cone plasma inductance has its maximum value at the pinch. It has been determined that the pinching time is inversely proportional to the deposited energy. Moreover, a calculated delay time of about 2.1 μs is required for the pinch to occur and the calculated sheath velocity ranges between 1 and 11.5 cm/μs. Erosion of the pin electrode could potentially explain the difference between the mass of helium gas inside the cone and the calculated swept mass. The main product of the ionization process is a singly-ionized helium atom.