The Effects of Preionization Level on a ?Stabilized? Z-pinch

Abstract

The influence of the degree of preionization on the formation and properties of a conventional 'stabilized' Z-pinch has been studied experimentally for preionization levels ranging from 2 % to 35 %. It is concluded that there exists the possibility of using varying levels of preionization to tailor radial profiles of density and pressure, and hence to influence the value of Po.