Shock formation in Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe on deuterium gas puff implosions

1- and 2-D simulations of 1-cm radius, gas-puff liners of Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe imploding onto a deuterium target are conducted using the discharge parameters for the Zebra (1 MA, 130 ns) driver using the resistive MHD code MACH2. This is an implementation of the Staged Z-pinch concept, in which the ta...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physics of plasmas 2016-12, Vol.23 (12)
Main Authors: Narkis, J., Rahman, H. U., Ney, P., Desjarlais, M. P., Wessel, F. J., Conti, F., Valenzuela, J. C., Beg, F. N.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
Adiabatic flow
Argon
Deuterium
Deuterium plasma
Flux density
Implosions
Linings
Magnetohydrodynamics
Neon
Plasma physics
Plastic deformation
Shock heating
Stability
Taylor instability
Xenon
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Summary:1- and 2-D simulations of 1-cm radius, gas-puff liners of Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe imploding onto a deuterium target are conducted using the discharge parameters for the Zebra (1 MA, 130 ns) driver using the resistive MHD code MACH2. This is an implementation of the Staged Z-pinch concept, in which the target is driven to high-energy-density first by shock compression launched by a diffused azimuthal magnetic field ( J × B force), and then by the adiabatic compression as the liner converges on axis. During the run-in phase, the initial shock heating preheats the deuterium plasma, with a subsequent stable, adiabatic compression heating the target to high energy density. Shock compression of the target coincides with the development of a J × B force at the target/liner interface. Stronger B-field transport and earlier shock compression increases with higher-Z liners, which results in an earlier shock arrival on axis. Delayed shock formation in lower-Z liners yields a relative increase in shock heating, however, the 2-D simulations show an increased target isolation from magneto-Rayleigh-Taylor instability penetration, suggesting that an optimal balance between these two effects is reached in an Ar or Kr liner, rather than with Xe.
ISSN:1070-664X
1089-7674
DOI:10.1063/1.4972547