Initial results for an argon Z pinch using a double-shell gas puff

Abstract

Recent observations are given for an argon double-shell gas puff imploded with up to 4 MA in 200 ns on the Double Eagle generator [G. B. Frazier et al., Digest of Technical Papers, Fourth IEEE Pulsed Power Conference (IEEE, Piscataway, NJ, 1983), p. 583]. Good K-shell x-ray output with good pinch quality was observed. A novel experimental procedure was used to selectively seed the inner or outer gas plenums with a chlorine tracer. The tracer data provide the first direct experimental evidence that the mass initially closest to the axis is the dominant contributor to the hot core of the radiating pinch.