Study of Implosion and Precursor Dynamics and Collapse in Wire Arrays With End-On Laser Diagnostics

Radiative properties and plasma parameters of Z-pinches at stagnation depend on its previous phases including the ablation and implosion stages. The dynamics of implosion in wire arrays including a collapse of the precursor was investigated at the 1-MA Zebra generator by end-on ultraviolet (UV) laser diagnostics at the wavelength of 266 nm. UV laser diagnostics displayed a complicated structure of the precursor with dense edges. Shadowgraphy and interferometry presented a collapse of the precursor to the dense Z-pinch. Depolarization of the laser beam in the Z-pinch plasma was studied with the end-on UV polarimeter. Comparison of images taken in two orthogonal polarizations showed small areas of depolarization in the trailing plasma around the Z-pinch.