Nanofocus: an ultra-miniature dense pinch plasma focus device with submillimetric anode operating at 0.1 J

Abstract

As a method for investigating the minimum energy to produce a pinch plasma focus (PF) discharge, an ultra-miniature device for pinch discharges has been designed, constructed and characterized (nanofocus (NF): 5 nF, 5–10 kV, 5–10 kA, 60–250 mJ, 16 ns time to peak current). Submillimetric anode radii (0.8 and 0.21 mm) covered by coaxial insulators were used for experiments in hydrogen. Evidence of pinch was observed in electrical signals in discharges operating at 3 mbar and ∼100 mJ. A single-frame image converter camera (4 ns exposure) was used to obtain plasma images in the visible range. The dynamics observed from the photographs is consistent with (a) the formation of a plasma sheath close to the insulator surface, (b) the plasma covering the anode, (c) radial compression over the anode; (d) finally the plasma is detached from the anode in the axial direction. The total time from stages (a) to (d) was observed in ∼30 ns. This ultra-miniature device has a value for the 'plasma energy density parameter' and for the 'drive parameter' of the same order or greater than PF devices operating at energies several orders of magnitude higher.