Experimental observations of plasma behavior in a novel plasma formati
on chamber are reported. Experimental results are in reasonable agreem
ent with two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic computations suggesting t
hat the plasma could subsequently be adiabatically compressed by a mag
netically driven pusher to yield 1 GJ of fusion energy. An explosively
driven helical flux compression generator mated with a unique closing
switch/opening switch combination delivered a 2.7 MA, 347 mu s magnet
ization current and an additional 5 MA, 2.5 mu s electrical pulse to t
he chamber. A hot plasma was produced and 10(13) D-T fusion reactions
were observed.