Transition from Beam-Target to Thermonuclear Fusion in High-Current Deuterium Z-Pinch Simulations

Dustin T. Offermann, Dale R. Welch, Dave V. Rose, Carsten Thoma, Robert E. Clark, Chris B. Mostrom, Andrea E. W. Schmidt, and Anthony J. Link
Phys. Rev. Lett. 116, 195001 – Published 9 May 2016
PDFHTMLExport Citation

Abstract

Fusion yields from dense, Z-pinch plasmas are known to scale with the drive current, which is favorable for many potential applications. Decades of experimental studies, however, show an unexplained drop in yield for currents above a few mega-ampere (MA). In this work, simulations of DD Z-Pinch plasmas have been performed in 1D and 2D for a constant pinch time and initial radius using the code Lsp, and observations of a shift in scaling are presented. The results show that yields below 3 MA are enhanced relative to pure thermonuclear scaling by beamlike particles accelerated in the Rayleigh-Taylor induced electric fields, while yields above 3 MA are reduced because of energy lost by the instability and the inability of the beamlike ions to enter the pinch region.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 25 November 2015

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.116.195001

© 2016 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Plasma Physics

Authors & Affiliations

Dustin T. Offermann*, Dale R. Welch, Dave V. Rose, Carsten Thoma, Robert E. Clark, and Chris B. Mostrom

  • Voss Scientific, LLC, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108, USA

Andrea E. W. Schmidt and Anthony J. Link

  • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94551, USA

  • *dustino@vosssci.com

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

Supplemental Material (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 116, Iss. 19 — 13 May 2016

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
CHORUS

Article Available via CHORUS

Download Accepted Manuscript
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×