Comparative study on the inductance evolution from variant discharge electrode in a dense plasma focus

Abstract

Ever since it was introduced, countless types of Dense Plasma Focus (DPF) devices have been proposed and developed. To compare the performance between different DPF types side by side without bias to any one of them are quite challenging, as the optimum condition for producing good pinch during the radial compression varies for each device. This work aim is to systematically compare the plasma dynamics before the radial compression in DPF for variant electrode configuration based on its inductance evolution in coaxial discharge. The inductance is determined based on the measured discharge current signal that flows through the circuit system. The result obtained show a similar pattern for the inductance evolution between the Mather type DPF operating at different parameter and scale. From the results, it shows that the plasma dynamics for both Mather type and Filippov type imparted distinctive trends in their inductance evolution as the plasma current sheath (PCS) lift-off from insulator till just before the sheath when for radial implosion.