Recent results of experiments with PF-1000 plasma-focus facilityoperated at energy levels above 0.5 MJ

摘要

Summary form only given. The large PF-1000 (megajoule) facilityhas been operated at the IPPLM for about four years. Until now the mostefforts were devoted to experimental studies dealing with theoptimization of the device. This paper reports on actual operationalcharacteristics of PF-1000 and preliminary results of investigationsperformed with a new set of Mather-type electrodes, operated at energylevels up to 800 kJ. The diameters of coaxial anode and cathode were 231mm and 400 mm, respectively. The both electrodes were about 600 mm inlength, but the basis of the inner one was embraced with a tubularceramic insulator of 113 mm in length. The experimental chamber wasfilled up with a pure deuterium or deuterium argon mixture underdifferent initial pressures. The electrode system was powered by apowerful current-pulse generator, which contained 288×4.6 μF,40 kV, condenser bank. The maximum charging voltage amounted to 35 kV,and the reported PF experiments were performed within an energy rangefrom 500 kJ to 800 kJ. Dynamics of a current-sheath was studied by meansof high-speed streak cameras. The high-speed smear pictures were takenthrough slits oriented in the radial and axial directions. On the basisof the pictures taken behind the radial slit, average radial compressionvelocities were estimated