On shear flow stabilization concepts for the dense z pinch

TL;DR

This paper analyzes various shear flow stabilization methods for dense z-pinches, including axial, spiral, projectile, and jet-based techniques, to improve plasma confinement and stability.

Contribution

It provides a comparative analysis of multiple shear flow stabilization concepts for dense z-pinches, exploring their theoretical basis and potential experimental implementations.

Findings

Axial shear flow can stabilize z-pinches in theory.

Spiral flow around the pinch offers a promising stabilization approach.

Projectile and jet methods introduce innovative stabilization techniques.

Abstract

Different ways to achieve the stabilization of a linear z-pinch by a superimposed shear flow are analyzed. They are: 1) Axial shear flow proposed by Arber and Howell with the pinch discharge in its center, and experimentally tested by Shumlak et al. 2) Spiral flow of a dense low temperature plasma surrounding a dense pinch discharge. 3) A thin metallic projectile shot at a high velocity through the center of the pinch discharge. 4) The replacement of the high velocity projectile by the shape charge effect jet in a conical implosion. 5) The replacement of the jet by a stationary wire inside the conical implosion.