Features of the Growth Dynamics of Plasma Jets in Laser-Induced Vacuum Discharges with High Rates of Current Rise

Abstract

An experimental study of the dynamics of formation of plasma jets and ion beams in laser-induced low-voltage discharges with high rates of current rise has been performed. It has been found that for given discharge characteristics (energy store voltage, discharge current, current rise rate, and discharge gap spacing) there exist optimum initial conditions, determined by the characteristics of the laser radiation, that provide stable single pinching of the cathode plasma jet at its maximum compression. Increasing the ion density and decreasing the temperature of the foreplasma by reducing the laser radiation power density at the cathode due to an increase in laser pulse duration improves the stability of the plasma pinching at a lower energy input.