Gas embedded compressional Z-pinch in H-2 and D-2

Recent experiments in a gas embedded compressional Z-pinch are presented. T he experiments have been carried out in H-2 and D-2, using a pulse power ge nerator capable of delivering a dI/dt > 10(12) A/s. The pinch is initiated by a focused laser pulse, which is coaxial with a cylindrical DC microdisch arge. This configuration results in double column pinch at early times, whi ch at current rise evolves into a gas embedded compressional Z-pinch. Diagn ostics used are Rogowskii coil, single frame holographic interferometry and holographic shadowgraphy, visible streak camera images from which, current , density, line density, pinch radius and plasma motion are obtained. The p inch is characterised by a maximum on axis density which is much higher tha n the expected value from filling pressure, with a Bennett temperature of 7 5 eV at 180 kA.