Self-similar solutions for the supersonic implosion of a screw-pinch plasma

Journal Article · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1992 · Physics of Fluids B; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.860062· OSTI ID:7043202

Venkatesan, R C; Choe, W H ^[1]

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1. Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801-2984 (United States)

Self-similar solutions are obtained for the supersonic compression of a plasma containing an axial current and an entrained axial magnetic field (screw pinch). These solutions represent a complete generalization of previous works done on the Z-pinch and {Theta}-pinch schemes. The solutions presented herein represent a screw-pinch plasma with a diffuse current profile. Three separate plasma implosion modes are identified. These modes differ qualitatively from the Z-pinch and {Theta}-pinch schemes. They are comprised of the plasma annulus implosion, a converging transverse magnetohydrodynamic shock, and the propagation of fast magnetosonic waves toward the axis (weak discontinuity). These modes are chosen on the basis of their ability to achieve magnetic field cumulation during the course of the implosion. Analytic expressions describing the asymptotic behavior of the hydromagnetic profiles are obtained for each of the three implosion modes. Numerical examples for selected boundary conditions, representing realistic plasma parameters for the purpose of ultrahigh magnetic field generation, are presented.

• OSTI ID: 7043202
• Journal Information: Physics of Fluids B; (United States), Journal Name: Physics of Fluids B; (United States) Vol. 4:6; ISSN 0899-8221; ISSN PFBPE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700310* -- Plasma Confinement-- (1992-)
FLUID FLOW
FLUID MECHANICS
HEATING
HYDRODYNAMICS
IMPLOSIONS
INSTABILITY
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MECHANICS
PINCH EFFECT
PLASMA HEATING
PLASMA INSTABILITY
SCREW PINCH
SHOCK WAVES
SUPERSONIC FLOW
THETA PINCH