Measurements of Plasma Density Distribution and Current-Sheath in the Implosion Phase of a Theta-Pinch Discharge

Abstract

The spatial and temporal evolution of the plasma density distribution and its relation to the magnetic-piston-field structure during a theta-pinch implosion have been experimentally investigated. With a deuterium fill density of 0.7 × ${10}^{15}$ atoms ${\mathrm{cm}}^{-3\mathrm{}}$, evidence of particle reflections from the imploding piston field is indicated.