On tuning mechanisms of DPF devices

A global instability theory of pinching plasmas allows us to justify the well-known empirical facts of the use of a mismatched dense plasma focus (DPF) and heavy inert gas admixtures. We assume that an instability of tangential discontinuity is responsible for the instability of a current-carrying plasma column. To inhibit development of a tangential discontinuity in a plasma focus, an array of insulator fibers or metallic wires placed on the anode near the axis of a discharge camera can be used.