Experimental r-θ density profiles of compact, copper wire-array Z-pinches on cobra

Calibrated r-θ density profiles from wire-array experiments on COBRA will be presented. Profiles are axially averaged over the height of the array. The data was gathered using an axial X pinch backlighter. Images have better than 5-micron resolution with calibrated ion densities from 10¹⁸ to 10²⁰ cm^-3. The experimental data showing ion density and timing of ablation streams and precursor formation will be compared with simulation results.