Study of plasma diffusion across magnetic fields using double planar wire arrays

Accurately determining magnetic diffusion parameters in plasmas is important for benchmarking 3D MHD codes used for the design and interpretation of Z pinch and other plasma experiments. In this work, two planar arrays consisting of four wires each are at a fixed inter-plane spacing. The inter-wire spacing is then varied to alter the ratio of local to global magnetic field. This in turn determines the location of local precursor column structures, the current carrying regions, and the rate at which plasma may travel across the magnetic field toward the axis.