On the mechanism of the magnetic field influence on the electrical explosion of a thin wire

Summary form only given. The radial plasma flow in its electrical explosion in longitudinal magnetic field originates azimuthal current, which in the interaction with the axial field generates an additional component of the radial Ampere force. If its value is large enough, the compression of the wire and the stabilization of two-dimensional instabilities are possible. On the other hand, the considerable azimuthal current results in additional Joule heating of those conductor layers where the current flows. At large values of azimuthal current j the process of thermal expansion in heating may be competitive to retention, and the longitudinal field will not hamper, but accelerate plasma flying apart. The calculations, as well as the analytical estimates, allowed to assess approximately the boundary of the transition of conditions when very large field or considerable velocity of flying apart caused by the high rate of the current increase result in the "self-excitation" of azimuthal current that becomes the key factor of plasma heating in its flying apart.