MHD simulation of plasma dynamics at the crossing point of x-pinches
Abstract
The new series of experiments with x-pinch load on Zebra machine at the Nevada Terawatt Facility have been carried out recently, using the x-ray spectroscopy and imaging together with the four-frame optical diagnostic of plasma. These data revealed some new interesting features of high-current 1 MA x-pinch discharge. Near the wire crossing point a typical Zebra x-pinch discharge produces extremely inhomogeneous z-pinch-like plasma object with thick extended corona, while the x-ray bursts are attributed to its central part, having enormously high temperature and density. This report presents the recent progress in MHD simulation of x-pinch plasmas that is performed at NTF. The simulations are aimed to reconstruct the hierarchy of the processes, which result in x-ray burst, and reproduce the scenario of plasma evolution during the discharge. The code is based on two-temperature two-fluid MHD model, which takes into account non-stationary ionization dynamics and strong radiation. The MHD simulations results are compared with the data from x-ray imaging and spectroscopy and optical plasma diagnostic.
- Publication:
-
APS Division of Plasma Physics Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- November 2004
- Bibcode:
- 2004APS..DPPHP1085E