Fiber Ablation in the Solid-DeuteriumZPinch

Abstract

We have performed one-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic computer calculations of the formation and evolution of the solid-deuterium-fiber $Z$ pinch. With use of a tabulated atomic data base and "cold-start" initial conditions, our computations show that current is carried by hot plasma which has been ablated from the solid fiber. The computations suggest that the experimentally observed instability growth may coincide with the complete ablation of the central fiber.