Use of conical wire arrays for modeling three-dimensional MHD implosion effects

Results are presented from experimental studies and numerical simulations of three-dimensional dynamics of the plasma produced in the Angara-5-1 facility by the electrical implosion of conical wire arrays at currents of up to 3 MA. The arrays were made of 6-to 8-μm-diameter tungsten wires, the inclination angle of the generatrix with respect to the axis being from 15 deg. to 42 deg. The results of two-dimensional MHD simulations are compared with experimental data. The formation dynamics of the plasma precursor is found to be different for cylindrical and conical arrays. As the cone angle increases, the duration of the X-ray pulse increases, while the height of the pinch radiating zone decreases.