Detection of a "cold core" in a Z-pinch formed in a wire explosion
Sarkisov G. S. , Etlicher B. , Attelan S., Rouille C.
A "cold core" exists in the plasma of a fast, high-current Z-pinch formed in the explosion of a thin wire. The experimental results were found by probing the plasma with a 3-ns laser pulse at a wavelength of 532 nm. The experiments were carried out with the help of a high-current source with a pulse length ~50 ns and a maximum current —250 kA. The results indicate that most of the wire remains unevapo-rated over essentially the entire first half-period of the current pulse.
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![](/ps/1206/article_18226_800_head.png "A "cold core" exists in the plasma of a fast, high-current Z-pinch formed in the explosion of a thin wire. The experimental results were found by probing the plasma with a 3-ns laser pulse at a wavelength of 532 nm. The experiments were carried out with the help of a high-current source with a pulse length ~50 ns and a maximum current —250 kA. The results indicate that most of the wire remains unevapo-rated over essentially the entire first half-period of the current pulse.")