Self-generated plasma rotation in a Z-pinch implosion with preembedded axial magnetic field

TL;DR

This study demonstrates for the first time that a Z-pinch implosion with a pre-embedded axial magnetic field can generate plasma rotation, significantly influencing the implosion dynamics and revealing magnetic flux surface isorotation.

Contribution

It provides detailed spectroscopic evidence of self-generated plasma rotation and its evolution, a novel observation in Z-pinch physics with implications for plasma stability.

Findings

Plasma rotates at velocities comparable to implosion speed.

Rotation affects force and energy balance during implosion.

Evolution of rotation aligns with magnetic flux surface isorotation.

Abstract

Using detailed spectroscopic measurements, highly-resolved in both time and space, a self-generated plasma rotation is demonstrated for the first time in a cylindrical Z-pinch implosion with a pre-embedded axial magnetic field. The plasma parameters and all three components of the magnetic field are resolved. The plasma is seen to rotate at a velocity comparable to the peak implosion velocity, considerably affecting the force and energy balance throughout the implosion. Moreover, the evolution of the rotation is consistent with magnetic flux surface isorotation, a novel observation in a Z-pinch.