Delayed growth of large-scale instabilities on the surface of double-layer (Cu + Ti) conductors in strong magnetic fields

The delay time to the onset of large-scale instabilities on the surface of a double-layer conductor was investigated for copper conductors coated with titanium. The experiment was performed on the MIG terawatt high-current generator. The generation of plasma on the conductor surface and the onset and growth of large-scale instabilities were monitored by imaging the conductor in visible light and in the x-rays generated by an X-pinch. It has been demonstrated that for a copper plus titanium conductor exploded in a strong magnetic field, the deposited titanium layer provides a delayed growth of large-scale instabilities compared with their growth on the surface of the bare copper conductor. (paper)