Numerical parameter studies for the dense plasma focus

Abstract

The magnetohydrodynamic equations are solved using an explicit numerical scheme for the focus geometry together with the electrical circuit equation. The influence of varying circuit parameters, focus apparatus dimensions and filling pressure on the discharge characteristics, especially the maximum current, and the plasma variables in the pinch phase are examined and compared with experimentally determined neutron outputs. An experimentally derived scaling law for the dependence of maximum neutron output on bank energy, filling pressure, and length of the inner electrode is confirmed by the results of the MHD computations.