Current sheath structure of the plasma focus in the run-down phase

The current carrying plasma sheath in a 12-kJ plasma focus is studied in the axial run-down phase by means of the Schlieren technique. Subnanosecond ultraviolet light pulses from a preionized, transversely excited, atmospheric nitrogen laser provide sufficiently fine temporal and spatial resolution for such investigation where the propagation speed of the current sheath is of the order of 10 cm/μs. It is observed that the current sheath grows thicker if it is driven at speeds beyond an optimum value of about 8 cm/μs (when the neutron yield is maximum). The thickening of the sheath is seen as an effect of the ratio of the specific heats. At the speed of 11 cm/μs, the effect of the temperature gradient at the electrode surface broadens the sheath further. Slow driving speeds are observed to result in an inefficient and leaky position