Role of electromagnetic wave in mode selection of magnetically driven instabilities

The fundamental wavelength of the instability along two 25-μm-diameter aluminum wires using a 100 ns rise time, 220 kA pulsed power facility is measured for two different load configurations. In one case the wires are perpendicular to end surface of electrodes, and in another case the wires are oblique to electrode’s end surface. The primary diagnostic used to measure time revolution of instability wavelength and amplitude is laser shadowgraphy. The role of end surface of electrodes appears to be responsible for the differences in dominant wavelength of instability between two types of load configurations. The experimental results that the fundamental wavelength in oblique case is about one half of that in perpendicular case indicates the ionic electromagnetic waves may play a key role in mode selection of magnetically driven instabilities. Conclusions drew from this paper may help us to understand the original reason why instabilities along wires manifest itself as a quasiperiodic pattern.