Generation of ultra-high magnetic fields by a degenerate, snow-plow pinch
In this paper we discuss 1 and 2-D LASNEX calculations of a snow-plow pinch in Xenon. The pinch is driven by inductively stored energy, switched by a compact-torus, fast-opening switch, with performance characteristics calculated by the TRACII, 2-D, MHD code. The 10-cm initial radius, 1 cm long Xe pinch is driven by 50 MA current, switched on in 100 ns. The pinch uniquely undergoes radiative collapse during the snow-plow phase, conforming to the original description of the snow-plow,'' to form a high-density, high-kinetic energy Xe shell which dynamically converges ([rho][sub R][sup [lg bullet]][sup 2] [much gt] B[sub [Theta]][sup 2]/8[pi]) to a pinch equilibrium with degenerate electron pressure, high-density ([rho] [approx equal] 10[sup 5] gm/cm[sup 3]) high-magnetic field (B[Theta] [approx equal] 10[sup 10]G), and T[sub e] [congruent]T[sub i] [congruent] T[sub radiation] [congruent] 5 keV. The described pinch configuration, calculated in 1-D, is expected to be unstable to R-T, sausage, and kink instabilities. A small initial B[sub zo] field ([approximately]100G) is calculated to be compressed to B[sub z] [approx equal] B [sub [Theta]] at the final, degenerate, pinch equilibrium, thus stabilizing sausage instability. A larger initial B[sub z] field ([approximately]10 kG) is calculated to be compressed by the radiatively collapsing plasma in the snow-plow to B[sub z] [approx equal] B [sub [Theta]] to stabilize R-T instability during the snow-plow phase. Finally, the kink instability (if it occurs) is expected, as observed, to leave intact the tightly pinched plasma column.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 6784094
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-JC-111529; CONF-921133-13; ON: DE93005831
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 6. international conference on megagauss magnetic field generation and related topics, Albuquerque, NM (United States), 9-12 Nov 1992
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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