Preliminary Results of Cone Z-Pinch Device with 5 kJ

Abstract

The Cone Z-Pinch Experiment with 5 kJ is designed, constructed and operated. The electric discharge takes place between an upper ring electrode and a lower pin electrode creating plasma sheath in shape of cone. The preliminary experimental results using Helium gas in dis- charge show that the discharge period is 35 ls, the total system inductance is 287 nH, and the total system resis- tance is 15 mX. The breakdown curve shows a minimum breakdown value at 0.2 torr pressure. The cone plasma is confined by electromagnetic force and plasma inductance has its maximum value at the pinch. The plasma current has a maximum value of 53 kA at the axis of the discharge tube. The experimental results showed that a time of 2.1 ls at least is required for the pinch to occur and that both the pinch time and the duration time decrease with increasing the charging voltage.