Dense Z-pinch plasma as a dynamical percolating network: From laboratory plasmas to a magnetoplasma universe

Abstract

The results of a high-resolution processing, based on techniques of fractal dimension analysis, of experimental data from earlier experiments on the linear Z-pinches are presented, which prove the electric current-carrying plasmas to be a random fractal medium. The basic building block of this medium is identified to be an almost-closed helical filamentary magnetoplasma configuration (we call it heteromac). The heteromacs are coupled together through long-range self-sustained filamentation and, thus, form a dynamical percolating network with dissipation. The results (i) extend recently identified phenomenon of the 3D large-scale (up to several centimeter size) helical filamentary plasma structures (Kukushkin et al. 1994, 1995, 1997a) in plasma focus gaseous discharges to the case of Z-pinch gaseous discharges and (ii) provide a novel view into the dynamics of Z-pinch's necks, plasma spikes, and magnetic bubbles as well as into generic features of electric current-carrying plasmas varying from low-electric current laboratory plasmas to cosmic plasmas. This covers about 30 orders of magnitude of length scale and suggests unprecedented opportunities for interpolating between and extrapolating from well-understood phenomena. A magnetoplasma universe model is suggested.