Two regimes of micropinching in a low-inductance vacuum spark

Abstract

An experimental and theoretical investigation of the micropinching process in a low-inductance vacuum spark is presented. The existence of the two types of micropinches which differ by their dimensions and emitted X-ray spectra of multicharged ions is explained from the point of view of a 'radiative collapse' model.

Plasma points and radiative collapse in vacuum sparks

“…Much confusion in published measurements was clarified by the recognition of these two types of plasma points (Aglitskii 1986;Antsiferov 1989;and below). Much confusion in published measurements was clarified by the recognition of these two types of plasma points (Aglitskii 1986;Antsiferov 1989;and below).…”

“…Other data (Antsiferov 1989) to be discussed later lead to the identification of two classes of plasma points, small and large. Other data (Antsiferov 1989) to be discussed later lead to the identification of two classes of plasma points, small and large.…”

“…However, plasma points do not develop Single-shot spectra must be studied with a highly sensitive spectrometer (e.g., -Schultz 1989;Aglitskii 1984).~ The measurement technique (Antsiferov 1989) uses a curved quartz crystal spectrograph with different crystals (2d = 2.26, 4.91, and 6.68 A> and radii of curvature .:-. However, plasma points do not develop Single-shot spectra must be studied with a highly sensitive spectrometer (e.g., -Schultz 1989;Aglitskii 1984).~ The measurement technique (Antsiferov 1989) uses a curved quartz crystal spectrograph with different crystals (2d = 2.26, 4.91, and 6.68 A> and radii of curvature .:-.…”

“…This review is principally concerned with the two types of plasma points (Aglitskii 1986;Antsiferov 1989) that appear in low-inductance vacuum sparks. The first type consists of a minute region of ions stripped to the K-shell, with size around -10 ,um or less as shown below in Fig.…”

Study of the contributions of the electrode materials to the plasma of a high-current vacuum spark

“…According to the Bennett formula, the conditions required for plasma compression are reached first of all in the regions with the lowest linear plasma density. On the other hand, for a linear plasma density of N 0 < 10 16 cm -1 , anomalous plasma heating can come into play, which leads to the premature termination of pinching [18]. For an initial linear density of N 0 > 10 16 cm -1 , the plasma can be compressed to several microns, whereas, for N 0 < 10 16 cm -1 , compression terminates already at two orders of magnitude greater pinch radii.…”