On certain characteristics of plasmas heated by collisionless shock waves

A. M. Iskol'dskii - R. Kh. Kurtmullaev - V. N. Luk'yanov - Yu. E. Nesterikhin - A. G. Ponomarenko

Abstract
Preliminary results of investigations related to the excitation of ‘collisionless' shock waves in plasmas are reported. The formation of a cylindrical magnetic piston, the excitation collisionless shock waves and their subsequent contraction around the axis of the system together with the associated phenomena (noise generation and the emission of x-rays) have been studied by magnetic and optical methods. The various phases of adiabatic compression, capture of the external magnetic field, and formation of a trap configuration inside the plasma have also been studied. It is shown that the trapped magnetic field may exist much longer than the total current pulse in the shock circuit. It is suggested that this effect is caused by the formation of a cylindrical plasma layer at the wall to which it transmits the pressure of the trapped magnetic field. Figs. 7, Refs 8.