Time Resolved Single Wire Aluminum Optical Spectroscopy Experiments*

We are exploring the conditions of plasmas generated by current-driven explosions of single fine aluminum wires, including temperatures, electron density, ionization state, and potentially magnetic field, using time-resolved emission spectroscopy at visible wavelengths. The experiments are being carried out with 15$\mu $m to 75$\mu $m Al wires driven by the 10kA, 500ns rise time LCP3 pulser. To determine the magnetic field, a new diagnostic method is being developed which makes use of Zeeman-effect-produced differences in the line shapes of two fine structure components of a multiplet that are equally broadened by Stark and Doppler effects. This method has been demonstrated at the Weizmann Institute of Science in laser-produced plasmas with lower energy densities [1]. \\[4pt] [1] E. Stambulchik, \textit{et al.} Phys. Rev. Lett. \textbf{98}, 225001 (2007).