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Title: The physics of fast Z pinches

Abstract

The spectacular progress made during the last few years in reaching high energy densities in fast implosions of annular current sheaths (fast Z pinches) opens new possibilities for a broad spectrum of experiments, from x-ray generation to controlled thermonuclear fusion and astrophysics. At present Z pinches are the most intense laboratory x-ray sources (1.8 MJ in 5 ns from a volume 2 mm in diameter and 2 cm tall). Powers in excess of 200 TW have been obtained. This warrants summarizing the present knowledge of physics that governs the behavior of radiating, current-carrying plasma in fast Z pinches. This survey covers essentially all aspects of the physics of fast Z pinches: initiation, instabilities of the early stage, magnetic Rayleigh-Taylor instability in the implosion phase, formation of a transient quasiequilibrium near the stagnation point, and rebound. Considerable attention is paid to the analysis of hydrodynamic instabilities governing the implosion symmetry. Possible ways of mitigating these instabilities are discussed. Nonmagnetohydrodynamic effects (anomalous resistivity, generation of particle beams, etc.) are summarized. Various applications of fast Z pinches are briefly described. Scaling laws governing development of more powerful Z pinches are presented. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.

Authors:
 [1];  [2];  [2]
  1. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94551 (United States)
  2. Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87185 (United States)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
20215566
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Reviews of Modern Physics
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 72; Journal Issue: 1; Other Information: PBD: Jan 2000; Journal ID: ISSN 0034-6861
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY; PINCH EFFECT; PLASMA CONFINEMENT; IMPLOSIONS; RAYLEIGH-TAYLOR INSTABILITY; PLASMA INSTABILITY; ELECTRIC DISCHARGES; REVIEWS; EXPERIMENTAL DATA; THEORETICAL DATA

Citation Formats

Ryutov, D D, Derzon, M S, and Matzen, M K. The physics of fast Z pinches. United States: N. p., 2000. Web. doi:10.1103/RevModPhys.72.167.
Ryutov, D D, Derzon, M S, & Matzen, M K. The physics of fast Z pinches. United States. https://doi.org/10.1103/RevModPhys.72.167
Ryutov, D D, Derzon, M S, and Matzen, M K. 2000. "The physics of fast Z pinches". United States. https://doi.org/10.1103/RevModPhys.72.167.
@article{osti_20215566,
title = {The physics of fast Z pinches},
author = {Ryutov, D D and Derzon, M S and Matzen, M K},
abstractNote = {The spectacular progress made during the last few years in reaching high energy densities in fast implosions of annular current sheaths (fast Z pinches) opens new possibilities for a broad spectrum of experiments, from x-ray generation to controlled thermonuclear fusion and astrophysics. At present Z pinches are the most intense laboratory x-ray sources (1.8 MJ in 5 ns from a volume 2 mm in diameter and 2 cm tall). Powers in excess of 200 TW have been obtained. This warrants summarizing the present knowledge of physics that governs the behavior of radiating, current-carrying plasma in fast Z pinches. This survey covers essentially all aspects of the physics of fast Z pinches: initiation, instabilities of the early stage, magnetic Rayleigh-Taylor instability in the implosion phase, formation of a transient quasiequilibrium near the stagnation point, and rebound. Considerable attention is paid to the analysis of hydrodynamic instabilities governing the implosion symmetry. Possible ways of mitigating these instabilities are discussed. Nonmagnetohydrodynamic effects (anomalous resistivity, generation of particle beams, etc.) are summarized. Various applications of fast Z pinches are briefly described. Scaling laws governing development of more powerful Z pinches are presented. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.},
doi = {10.1103/RevModPhys.72.167},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/20215566}, journal = {Reviews of Modern Physics},
issn = {0034-6861},
number = 1,
volume = 72,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2000},
month = {Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2000}
}