Radial plasma structure during a theta‐pinch implosion: Flute instabilities

Flute instabilities have been observed during the implosion of an ≈1×1014 cm−3 initial electron density theta pinch. The flutes occupy only a fraction of the plasma self‐luminosity pattern and disappear after formation of the plasma column. The total structure of the luminosity patterns has been correlated with the imploding plasma density and magnetic field distribution.