Early expansion in exploding multiple wire arrays

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Abstract
A simple model is developed for the initial stage (blow‐off and the onset of pinching) of a multiple exploded wire array. With obvious modifications the model can also be applied to single wires or other self‐pinched plasma columns. Each wire in the array is modeled as a plasma cylinder undergoing self‐similar radial motion, and the whole array is coupled self‐consistently to an external circuit. The plasma expands initially; the onset of self‐pinch is shown to be coincident with the plasma conductivity reaching a value large enough for skin effect to occur. The model is run for a variety of system parameters, and the choice of machine and wire parameters to attain particular objectives (e.g., rapid current rise, limited wire expansion, etc.) is discussed.