Observation of plasma dynamics in a theta pinch by a novel method

Wang Zhao; Cheng Rui; Wang Guodong; Jin Xuejian; Tang Yong; Chen Yanhong; Zhou Zexian; Shi Lulin; Wang Yuyu; Lei Yu; Wu Xiaoxia; Yang Jie

doi:10.1063/5.0144921

Volume 8 Issue 4

Jul. 2023

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Article Navigation > Matter and Radiation at Extremes > 2023 > 8(4): 045901

Wang Zhao, Cheng Rui, Wang Guodong, Jin Xuejian, Tang Yong, Chen Yanhong, Zhou Zexian, Shi Lulin, Wang Yuyu, Lei Yu, Wu Xiaoxia, Yang Jie. Observation of plasma dynamics in a theta pinch by a novel method[J]. Matter and Radiation at Extremes, 2023, 8(4): 045901. doi: 10.1063/5.0144921

Citation:

Wang Zhao, Cheng Rui, Wang Guodong, Jin Xuejian, Tang Yong, Chen Yanhong, Zhou Zexian, Shi Lulin, Wang Yuyu, Lei Yu, Wu Xiaoxia, Yang Jie. Observation of plasma dynamics in a theta pinch by a novel method[J]. Matter and Radiation at Extremes, 2023, 8(4): 045901. doi: 10.1063/5.0144921

Citation:

Wang Zhao, Cheng Rui, Wang Guodong, Jin Xuejian, Tang Yong, Chen Yanhong, Zhou Zexian, Shi Lulin, Wang Yuyu, Lei Yu, Wu Xiaoxia, Yang Jie. Observation of plasma dynamics in a theta pinch by a novel method[J]. Matter and Radiation at Extremes, 2023, 8(4): 045901. doi: 10.1063/5.0144921

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Observation of plasma dynamics in a theta pinch by a novel method

doi: 10.1063/5.0144921

Wang Zhao^{1, 2
,},
Cheng Rui^{1, 2, 3
,
,},
Wang Guodong^{1, 2
,},
Jin Xuejian^{1, 2
,},
Tang Yong¹,
Chen Yanhong¹,
Zhou Zexian^{1, 4
,},
Shi Lulin^{1, 4},
Wang Yuyu^{1, 2, 3},
Lei Yu¹,
Wu Xiaoxia¹,
Yang Jie^{1, 2, 3
,}

1.
Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
2.
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
3.
Advanced Energy Science and Technology Guangdong Laboratory, Huizhou 516003, China
4.
College of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, China

More Information

Corresponding author: a)Author to whom correspondence should be addressed: chengrui@impcas.ac.cn
Received Date: 2023-02-01
Accepted Date: 2023-04-27

Available Online: 2023-07-01

Publish Date: 2023-07-01

Abstract

Abstract

A novel experimental method is proposed for observing plasma dynamics subjected to magnetic fields based on a newly developed cylindrical theta-pinch device. By measuring simultaneously the temporal profiles of multiple parameters including the drive current, luminosity, plasma density, and plasma temperature, it provides a basis for observing the plasma dynamics of the theta pinch, such as shock transport and magnetohydrodynamic instability. We show that the plasma evolution can be distinguished as three phases. First, in the radial implosion phase, the trajectories of the current sheath and shock wave are ascertained by combining experimental data with a snowplow model (Lee model) in a self-consistent way. Second, in the axial flow phase, we demonstrate that m = 0 (sausage) instability associated with the plasma axial flow suppresses the plasma end-loss. Third, in the newly observed anomalous heating phase, the lower-hybrid-drift instability may develop near the current sheath, which induces anomalous resistivity and enhanced plasma heating. The present experimental data and novel method offer better understanding of plasma dynamics in the presence of magnetic fields, thereby providing important support for relevant research in magneto-inertial fusion.

The authors have no conflicts to disclose.
Conflict of Interest
Author Contributions
Zhao Wang: Conceptualization (equal); Data curation (equal); Investigation (lead); Methodology (lead); Validation (equal); Writing – original draft (lead); Writing – review & editing (equal). Rui Cheng: Funding acquisition (equal); Investigation (equal); Project administration (equal); Resources (equal); Supervision (equal); Writing – review & editing (equal). Guodong Wang: Data curation (equal); Investigation (equal); Writing – review & editing (equal). Xuejian Jin: Data curation (equal); Investigation (equal); Writing – review & editing (equal). Yong Tang: Data curation (equal); Investigation (equal); Writing – review & editing (equal). Yanhong Chen: Investigation (equal); Writing – review & editing (equal). Zexian Zhou: Investigation (equal); Writing – review & editing (equal). Lulin Shi: Investigation (equal); Writing – review & editing (equal). Yuyu Wang: Investigation (equal); Writing – review & editing (equal). Yu Lei: Investigation (equal); Writing – review & editing (equal). Xiaoxia Wu: Investigation (equal); Writing – review & editing (equal). Jie Yang: Funding acquisition (equal); Investigation (equal); Project administration (equal); Resources (equal); Supervision (equal); Writing – review & editing (equal).
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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References(65)

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