Material End Plugging of StraightθPinches

Abstract

The interaction of a $\theta$-pinch plasma with cold-material end plugs is investigated with a numerical hydrodynamic and heat flow model. A very appreciable improvement in energy confinement is obtained for the 5-m system considered compared to the same system without plugs. The improvement is due to the elimination of convective energy loss, a reduction of thermal conductive loss when $Z>\mathrm{}1\mathrm{}$ end plugs are used, and some recompression of the plasma by ablated plug material.