Parametric profiles of plasma current sheath in argon plasma focus during axial phase

This study presents the findings of theoretical and experimental studies into the dynamical behaviors of the plasma current sheath (PCS) and its parameters during the axial phase of plasma focus at the inter-electrode discharge of a 2.2 kJ (EAEA-PF1) Mather-type plasma focus device. All our investigations were performed at 106 Pa filling argon gas pressure and charging the capacitor bank with 12 kV DC. Four magnetic probing systems were employed as diagnostic tools for measuring the induction of the azimuthal magnetic field in different axial and radial positions, Bθ. These measurements made it possible to identify the location and speed of the propagating axial PCS. Along the entire axial zone of the coaxial electrodes, the snowplow model was used to determine the PCS's axial location, which has a curved shape with an inclination angle, θ. A comparison was made between theoretical and experimental evidence on the dynamic behaviors of PCS. We investigated the PCS shedding factor, fc, mass shedding factor, fm, and modification factor, $${f}_{c}/\sqrt{{f}_{m}}$$ along axial, and radial directions. Axial distributions of PCS parameters such as PCS density, mass, kinetic energy, and thickness were experimentally obtained for different radial distances under consideration.