Properties of the distribution of azimuthal magnetic field in a plasma flow during laboratory simulations of astrophysical jets in a plasma-focus installation

Abstract

The results of laboratory simulations of astrophysical jets are presented. Plasma flows generated in the PF-3 plasma-focus installation of the NRC “Kurchatov Institute” and propagating to distances substantially exceeding their transverse dimensions are studied. It is shown usingmagnetic probes that the plasma flow propagates with a frozen-in magnetic field. The resulting radial distribution of the azimuthal magnetic field corresponds well to the distribution created by a longitudinal current of ~10 kA flowing in a region with a radius of 1–2 cm near the axis. Structures associated with return currents are observed at the periphery of the flow. The magnetic field decays rapidly as the flow propagates along the axis. Nevertheless, the leading lobe of the plasma flow is preserved to substantial distances in a neon discharge, possibly due to radiative cooling of the plasma.