Mitigation of magneto-Rayleigh-Taylor instability growth in a triple-nozzle, neutron-producing gas-puff Z pinch

The gas-puff Z-pinch is a well-known source of x-rays and/or neutrons, but it is highly susceptible to the magneto-Rayleigh-Taylor instability (MRTI). Approaches to MRTI mitigation include density profile tailoring, in which nozzles are added or modified to alter the acceleration trajectory, and axial pre-magnetization, in which perturbations are smoothed out via magnetic field line tension. Here, we present two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulations of loads driven by an 850 kA, 160 ns driver that suggest these mitigation strategies can be additive. The initial axial magnetic field, Bz0, to stabilize a 2.5-cm-radius Ne gas liner imploding onto an on-axis deuterium target can be reduced from 0.7 T to 0.3 T by adding a second liner with a radius of 1.25 cm. Because MRTI mitigation tends to increasingly lower yield with higher Bz0, the use of a lower field is advantageous. Here, we predict a reduction in yield penalty from >100x with the single liner to <10x with a double liner. A premagnetized, triple nozzle gas puff could therefore be an attractive source for intense neutrons or other fusion applications.

Automated summary

The gas-puff Z-pinch is a well-known source of x-rays and/or neutrons, but it is highly susceptible to the magneto-Rayleigh-Taylor instability (MRTI). Mitigation strategies for MRTI include density profile tailoring and axial pre-magnetization, which can be additive in reducing energy loss and improving yield. By adding a second liner to stabilize the implosion of the gas liner, the initial axial magnetic field can be reduced, ultimately leading to a more attractive source for intense neutrons or fusion applications.