Physical processes in the final phase of the plasma focus

A description of the final phase of the plasma focus is proposed based on the classical plasma physics concept. It is shown that, taking into consideration the cumulative plasma heating and the occurrence of a shock wave reflected from the axis, it is possible to qualitatively explain the experimentally observed phenomena, such as current disruption, the generation of a strong electric field, and other accompanying effects. If a weak poloidal magnetic field is initially present in the plasma column, then this field can increase in magnitude to a value comparable to the azimuthal magnetic field.