Pinch spot formation in high atomic number<i>z</i>discharges

Abstract

A nonlinear, quasi-two-dimensional model for pinch spot formation in radiation-dominated, high atomic number z pinches is presented that reproduces the experimental electrical and radiation characteristics. The high line-radiation rates of such discharges produce localized, high-density pinch spots in contrast to the spindle pinches predicted for hydrogenic discharges.