Recent results of experiments with PF-1000 plasma-focus facility operated at energy levels above 0.5 MJ

Summary form only given. The large PF-1000 (megajoule) facility has been operated at the IPPLM for about four years. Until now the most efforts were devoted to experimental studies dealing with the optimization of the device. This paper reports on actual operational characteristics of PF-1000 and preliminary results of investigations performed with a new set of Mather-type electrodes, operated at energy levels up to 800 kJ. The diameters of coaxial anode and cathode were 231 mm and 400 mm, respectively. The both electrodes were about 600 mm in length, but the basis of the inner one was embraced with a tubular ceramic insulator of 113 mm in length. The experimental chamber was filled up with a pure deuterium or deuterium argon mixture under different initial pressures. The electrode system was powered by a powerful current-pulse generator, which contained 288/spl times/4.6 /spl mu/F, 40 kV, condenser bank. The maximum charging voltage amounted to 35 kV, and the reported PF experiments were performed within an energy range from 500 kJ to 800 kJ. Dynamics of a current-sheath was studied by means of high-speed streak cameras. The high-speed smear pictures were taken through slits oriented in the radial and axial directions. On the basis of the pictures taken behind the radial slit, average radial compression velocities were estimated.