Comparison of Plasma Dynamics in Plasma Focus Devices PF1000 and PF400

<p>In this work we have simulated two different sizes of plasma focus devices: PF400, a small sub-kJ plasma focus device in operation at the Atomic Energy Commission in Chile and PF1000, a 1 MJ device at the International Centre for Dense Magnetised Plasmas (ICDMP) in Warsaw, Poland. Our aim is to compare the plasma dynamics observed in two different sizes of the devices. We compare the experimentally obtained data with the data predicted from our numerical experiments using the Lee model code. It has been observed that the peak current of the total current waveform, pinch current calculated from total current, and neutron yield agree reasonably well with published experimental data, however, slight differences are found in other parameters.</p><p>Journal of Nepal Physical Society Vol.3(1) 2015: 55-59</p>

Amplification of a Laser Beam for the Fast Ignition of a Thermonuclear Target

It is proposed to simultaneously compress a thermonuclear target and amplify a laser beam by a single z-pinch discharge. The laser beam is imploded and amplified by a cylindrical convergent shock wave inside a capillary, transforming it into a soft X-ray pulse for the fast ignition of the thermonuclear target. The target is compressed inside a liner by the z-pinch current. The capillary is attached to one end of the cylindrical target, and is protected by a radial wire spoke array fast opening switch against its premature implosion by the convergent shock wave. The z-pinch can be stabilized by placing it into a powerful vortex.