GENERATION OF HOT PLASMA POINTS IN A Z-PINCH

Results are presented from visible and X-ray photochronographic studie s of the evolution of a fast Z-pinch produced in the explosion of a me tal wire in the diode of a high-current generator. The generator produ ced a current pulse through the load with an amplitude of similar to 1 80 kA and a leading edge duration of similar to 50 ns. Analysis of the experimental results shows the possibility of controlling the generat ion of hot plasma points in a Z-pinch.