Growth rates of interchange modes in the dense z-pinch and gas blanket effects

Technical Report · Thu May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1980

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5313725· OSTI ID:5313725

Suydam, B R

A class of models of the dense z-pinch in which the bulk of the plasma is neutrally stable against interchange is studied. At a radius a the plasma is abruptly terminated and surrounded by a gas blanket. Instability results from the surface current necessary to maintain pressure balance at the plasma-gas interface. A single dispersion relation applies to all models in this class and shows two effects of the gas blanket in reducing growth rate. (1) Partial support of plasma pressure by external gas pressure reduces the driving force for the instability, and (2) mass loading of the relatively dense neutral gas reduces growth rate.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 5313725
• Report Number(s): LA-8340-MS; TRN: 80-010319
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
FLUTE INSTABILITY
LINEAR Z PINCH DEVICES
DISPERSION RELATIONS
GAS BLANKETS
INSTABILITY GROWTH RATES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
INSTABILITY
LINEAR PINCH DEVICES
OPEN PLASMA DEVICES
PINCH DEVICES
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MACROINSTABILITIES
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
700107* - Fusion Energy- Plasma Research- Instabilities