DENSE Z-PINCH PLASMA AS A DYNAMICAL PERCOLATING NETWORK - FROM LABORATORY PLASMAS TO A MAGNETOPLASMA UNIVERSE

The results of a high-resolution processing, based on techniques of fr actal dimension analysis, of experimental data from earlier experiment s on the linear Z-pinches are presented, which prove the electric curr ent-carrying plasmas to be a random fractal medium. The basic building block of this medium is identified to be an almost-closed helical fil amentary magnetoplasma configuration (we call it heteromac). The heter omacs are coupled together through long-range self-sustained filamenta tion and, thus, form a dynamical percolating network with dissipation. The results (i) extend recently identified phenomenon of the 3D large -scale (up to several centimeter size) helical filamentary plasma stru ctures (Kukushkin et al. 1994, 1995, 1997a) in plasma focus gaseous di scharges to the case of Z-pinch gaseous discharges and (ii) provide a novel view into the dynamics of Z-pinch's necks, plasma spikes, and ma gnetic bubbles as well as into generic features of electric current-ca rrying plasmas varying from low-electric current laboratory plasmas to cosmic plasmas. This covers about 30 orders of magnitude of length sc ale and suggests unprecedented opportunities for interpolating between and extrapolating from well-understood phenomena. A magnetoplasma uni verse model is suggested.