3D modelling of ion motion within dynamic filamentary PF-pinch column

Abstract

The paper reports on the results of a 3-D modelling of ion motion within the plasma focus (PF) pinch column, which is treated as a filamentary, non-stationary system. Besides magnetic fields, also the induced electrical fields as well as the ion-ion and ion-electron collisions have been included in the equations of ion (deuteron) motion. The results obtained show that the filamentary structure influences the 3-D ion trajectories and 2-D angular distribution of ions. It has been confirmed that 3-D flower-like filaments can explain some important characteristics of the ion emission from PF discharges.

Formation and role of filaments in high-current discharges of the pinch type

“…Calculations of the deuteron trajectories performed for the homogenous cylindrical pinch [8] did not explain all features of the deuteron angular distribution, and in particular the appearance of the local minimum at the z-axis. The distributions, computed for the assumed filamentary configurations [9], showed the local minimum at the z-axis in a quantitative agreement with the experimental observations, as shown in Fig. 4.…”

Breakthrough in 4π ion emission mechanism understanding in plasma focus devices

“…As a result, for all plasma-material interaction studies by means of different scale PFDs from PF-1000141819 to miniature PFDs20, the specimens are usually placed along the z-axis of the PFD chamber to be exposed to ions by applying several pinch shots21. Many exclusive studies have been performed on ion emission angular distribution profiles on X or Y axes of PFDs; some studies have reported maxima22232425 and some have shown minima262728293031, on the profiles, on or around the z-axis. Some theoretical models have also been developed to justify ion angular distribution profiles around the z axis222324293032333435.…”

Experimental Research on Optimization of Neutron Yield From PF-360 Machine

“…Modeling of ion trajectories within the collapsing current-sheath and the PF pinch column, which were performed with taking into account the appearance of current filaments [12][13], showed that a considerable portion of accelerated deuterons (during their gyro-motion) move in the radial direction. Therefore, it was reasonable to use those deuterons in order to increase a number of D-D fusion reactions by the application of the needle-type cryogenic target, as described in the previous section.…”

“…Abstract of the invited talk to be given at the XIII Ukrainian Conference & School on Plasma Physics & Controlled Fusion (Alushta, Ukraine, Sept. [11][12][13][14][15][16]2000 This invited talk describes recent dense magnetized plasma (DMP) experiments carried out with different Plasma-Focus (PF) facilities in Poland, investigated at energy ranging from 40 kJ to about 800 kJ. The first series of PF shots was performed with PF-150 device operated at IFPiLM in Warsaw.…”

“…Abstract of the paper to be presented at the XIII Ukrainian Conference & School on Plasma Physics & Controlled Fusion (Alushta, Ukraine, Sept. [11][12][13][14][15][16]2000).…”