Correlation between plasma behavior and hot spots generation on plasma focus experiments

Correlation between X-ray generation and constriction of pinched column was investigated on plasma focus discharges (45 kV, 0.8 MA) with additional Ar-gas puff into embedded hydrogen using diagnostic tools including a temporal- and spatial resolved soft X-ray imaging system and a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. An interferogram taken immediately after the peak emission from the micropinch (250 μm in radius, ∼1 mm in length) showed a gap (4 mm in length) in the plasma column. This can be explained that axial outflow of charged particles from the micropinch plays an important roll. It is shown that the soft X-ray imaging system is useful as a diagnostic tool for temporal resolved 1D observation of rapid changing sources. (author)