The characteristics of the nonadiabatic transverse (E&thgr;,Bz) pinch are studied for configurations in which the discharge tube, current coils, and condenser form an integral structure, allowing very high voltage gradients (105to 106v/cm). The dynamics of the first pinch contraction are analyzed using the Garwin‐Rosenbluth model of an infinitely conducting, collisionless plasma, and expressions are derived for the parameter values corresponding to maximum energy transfer to the gas for given energy per particle. Theoretical curves of pinch radius, current, and plasma kinetic energy as functions of time for typical cases are shown, and the relative merits of this transverse pinch and the more common longitudinal (Ez,B&thgr;) pinch are discussed.