Experimental studies of instabilities in radially imploding plasmas
Abstract
In this paper we present experimental data from two experiments that show the initiation and growth of instabilities and compare them to a two dimensional radiational magnetohydrodynamic (RMHD) computation. High-speed cameras (Imacons) were used to observe the implosion as the plasma converges and stagnates on axis. Computer-image enhancement was used to determine the periodicity and amplitude of the initial perturbations. In the two experimental cases, the 5-cm-radius implosion foils had mass of 4.2 and 12.6 milligrams. The data show that the larger mass evolves into a more uniform implosion. Also, we determine the implosion velocity and the growth rate of a selected perturbation.
- Publication:
-
Presented at the 6th International Conference on Megagauss Magnetic Field Generation and Related Topics
- Pub Date:
- 1992
- Bibcode:
- 1992mmfg.conf....9O
- Keywords:
-
- Implosions;
- Magnetohydrodynamic Stability;
- Magnetohydrodynamics;
- Periodic Variations;
- Perturbation;
- Plasmas (Physics);
- Augmentation;
- Capacitors;
- High Speed Cameras;
- Plasma Physics