title: High energy density z-pinch plasma conditions with picosecond time resolution.
abstract: Using an X-pinch configuration, we have determined that micropinches produced by exploding-wire z pinches can have densities approaching solid density and temperatures of 0.5-1.8 keV, depending upon the wire material used. These plasma parameters, determined from x-ray spectra recorded using an x-ray streak camera, vary drastically on time scales ranging from <10 to 100 ps. Computer simulations require radiation loss to reproduce the observed plasma implosion, suggesting that a radiative-collapse hypothesis for micropinch plasma formation may be correct.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Plasma Studies, 369 Upson Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Pikuz
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Sinars
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Shelkovenko
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Chandler
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Hammer
authors.forename: G V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Ivanenkov
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Stepniewski
authors.forename: I Yu
authors.initials: IY
authors.lastname: Skobelev