2-DIMENSIONAL FIBER ABLATION IN THE SOLID-DEUTERIUM ZETA-PINCH

Initial two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic computer calculations of the formation and evolution of the solid-deuterium-fiber Z pinch are reported. The computations show that the m=0 instability occurs very early in the discharge. The m=0 behavior leads to the formation of hot spots off axis and enhances the fiber ablation rate. A rapid onset of neutron production occurs when the fiber has totally ablated. The computations are in qualitative agreement with experimental observations at several laboratories and lead to a new interpretation of the experimental diagnostics. © 1990 The American Physical Society.