Two-dimensional radiation-magnetohydrodynamic simulations of SATURN imploding Z pinches
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore , California 94526 (United States)
- Sandia National Laboratory, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185 (United States)
- University of California, Davis, California 95616 (United States)
Z-pinch implosions driven by the SATURN device [D. D. Bloomquist {ital et} {ital al}., {ital Proceedings} {ital of} {ital the} 6{ital th} {ital Institute} {ital of} {ital Electrical} {ital and} {ital Electronics} {ital Engineers} ({ital IEEE}) {ital Pulsed} {ital Power} {ital Conference}, Arlington, VA, edited by P. J. Turchi and B. H. Bernstein (IEEE, New York, 1987), p. 310] at Sandia National Laboratory are modeled with a two-dimensional radiation magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) code, showing strong growth of the magneto-Rayleigh{endash}Taylor (MRT) instability. Modeling of the linear and nonlinear development of MRT modes predicts growth of bubble-spike structures that increase the time span of stagnation and the resulting x-ray pulse width. Radiation is important in the pinch dynamics, keeping the sheath relatively cool during the run-in and releasing most of the stagnation energy. The calculations give x-ray pulse widths and magnitudes in reasonable agreement with experiments, but predict a radiating region that is too dense and radially localized at stagnation. We also consider peaked initial density profiles with constant imploding sheath velocity that should reduce MRT instability and improve performance. Krypton simulations show an output x-ray power {approx_gt}80 TW for the peaked profile. {copyright} {ital 1996 American Institute of Physics.}
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 282908
- Journal Information:
- Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 3; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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