Magnetohydrodynamic simulation for plasma focus devices

Abstract

To overcome the discontinuity between the axial phase and the radial phase in the plasma focus, a new model (the Masoud model) has been developed. It is assumed that, according to the snowplough model, the radial phase moves in the angular direction with continuity between the axial and the radial phases. This model is based on the introduction of an angle of motion in all equations of motion and circuit. Then, the plasma sheath position and velocity were calculated numerically from the previous equations. A slug model has been used to calculate the shock wave velocity, and hence the electron temperature. Values of the discharge current, the axial speed, the axial position, the spike voltage, the radial piston speed, the radial piston position, the plasma column length and the plasma temperature have been obtained using the new model. The values calculated by using this model show good agreement with the published experimental results.