Measuring of spatio-temporal characteristics Z-pinch from deuterated polyethylene

Abstract

On the S-300 installation at currents up to 2 MA with rise time 100 ns, the investigation of the formation process of high-temperature plasma in fast Z-pinch was carried out. The central part of the loads was made from agar-agar and represented a deuterated polyethylene cylinder with small density 50 and 75 mg/sm³ and 1–2 mm diameter. On the ICT images, obtained in optical and soft X-ray range of a spectrum with 3–5 ns exposition, it is visible that on the axis of the polyethylene cylinder at the current`s rise time a cord is formed and it is separated into bright formations. They were observed on a background of a luminous area which occupied the initial neck volume. On time-integrated pinhole pictures obtained in SXR range (E > 1–4 keV), hot points with minimal size of 50 microns were registered. From the chronograms results, obtained by means of the optical high-speed-streak camera mount along the neck axis with time resolution < 1 ns, it follows that luminous formations arise sequentially during the different time moments (in 10–30 ns). Occurrence of luminous formations was accompanied by X-ray radiation occurrence with energy E > 1 keV with short duration of 2–4 ns. Simultaneously with X-ray radiation neutrons with the maximal yield of 4.5×10⁹ were registered. The average energy measured in 4 directions under angles with an axis of: 0^○ (above the anode), 90^○, 180^○ (under the cathode) and 270^○, were accordingly: 2.4±0.2, 2.5±0.1, 2.5±0.1, 2.5±0.1 MeV.