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Fully Kinetic Particle-in-Cell Simulations of a Deuterium Gas Puff z Pinch

Journal Article · · Physical Review Letters
; ; ; ; ;  [1]
  1. Voss Scientific, LLC, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108 (United States)

We present the first fully kinetic, collisional, and electromagnetic simulations of the complete time evolution of a deuterium gas puff z pinch. Recent experiments with 15-MA current pinches have suggested that the dominant neutron-production mechanism is thermonuclear. We observe distinct differences between the kinetic and magnetohydrodynamic simulations in the pinch evolution with the kinetic simulations producing both thermonuclear and beam-target neutrons. The kinetic approach demonstrated in this Letter represents a viable alternative for performing future plasma physics calculations.

OSTI ID:
21370914
Journal Information:
Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 25 Vol. 103; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English