Kinematics and structure of the collapsing current sheath correlated with neutron and beam production in a plasma focus device

Summary Form only given, as follows. A systematic study has been made of the kinematics (radial velocities and accelerations) and structure (density profiles) in the collapse phase of a plasma focus device operating at 20 kV (2.8 kJ) by means of optical techniques. Radial velocities ranged from 1 to 2.2*10/sup 7/ cm/s, depending on filling pressure (1-4 mbar D/sub 2/), and accelerations reached 10/sup 14/ cm/s, with large fluctuations from shot to shot. A silver activation counter and photomultiplier-scintillator assemblies were used to register the behavior of neutron and X-ray emission. Total yields and the correlation between the amplitude of the X-ray signal and neutron yield were determined. Preliminary results on the properties of deuteron beams were obtained.<>