Analysis of the toroidal and poloidal magnetic field behaviors in the conical Z pinch plasma thruster

Abstract EN

The Cone Z-Pinch Experiment with 5 kJ is designed, constructed and operated.

The electric discharge takes place between an upper ring electrode and a lower pin electrode creating plasma sheath in shape of cone.

The discharge current reached maximum with rise time of 7 s and the pinch effect takes place in shape of sharp crevice.

The magnetic field distribution is measured axially by magnetic probe.

The experimental results proved the existence of the axial magnetic field especially above the ring electrode where all the axial current changes direction toward the radial one, creating the poloidal field.

The toroidal magnetic flux of about 13 kG is measured for 5 kV discharge voltage, while the poloidal magnetic flux is about 5.5 kG.

The toroidal magnetic field is lower above the ring electrode due to the lower plasma current passes at the center.

The plasma sheath velocity varies between 2.6 and 1.1 cm/μs in the axial direction above the pin electrode.