Ion temperature and the density distribution in the corona of a dense z pinch

Abstract

Magnetic field measurements, which are performed at a dynamic z-pinch experiment, yield the ion temperature of the dense plasma column. The value of the ion temperature is consistent with results obtained from the speed of signal propagation, from the equilibrium of the pressure of the plasma boundary and from a consideration of the balance of energy. From an analysis of the speed of compressional Alfvén waves in the region between the wall and the compressed plasma channel, the density outside the dense column is derived. The electron density in the corona is about three orders of magnitude smaller than in the core.