In a θ-pinch the radial symmetry of the electron density distribution as a function of time has been measured by a MACH—ZEHNDER interferometer. In a time interval of 400 nsec during a discharge an image converter made three pictures (exposure times of 10 nsec each) . Up to 100 nsec after the first compression, the experimental results show different density distributions for the cases of trapped parallel and antiparallel magnetic fields. Complete radial symmetry of the electron density distribution was not found.Another interferometric method for measuring the radial symmetry of the electron distribution by observing “zero order” fringes is described.
3D ELECTRON DENSITY DISTRIBUTIONS IN THE SOLAR CORONA DURING SOLAR MINIMA: ASSESSMENT FOR MORE REALISTIC SOLAR WIND MODELING