Alpha Particle Behavior in Shear Flow Stabilized Z Pinches

Abstract

The goal of this work is to investigate the behavior of alpha particles in a Z-pinch plasma configuration. A Z pinch is one of the oldest plasma fusion configurations, but Z pinches have always suffered from a series of instabilities that limit their performance. Recently, sheared flow stabilization has resulted in significant stability gains, with some pinches lasting up to 10 us (several thousand linear instability growth times). Zap Energy is currently operating a sheared-flow-stabilized Z pinch: the Fusion Z-pinch Experiment (FuZE). However, as these devices reach higher rates of fusion, the resulting fusion by-products may play a key role in the plasma energy balance.