ELECTROMECHANICAL MODELING OF Z-PINCH PLASMA LENSES WITH THERMAL AND CIRCUITAL COUPLING

Z-pinches are well-known plasma devices recently proposed as magnetic lenses. This focusing application requires an accurate modelling of th e magnetic field distribution in the plasma discharge dynamics. It is a typical electromagnetic coupled problem, involving mechanical, therm al and circuital aspects, that have all to be properly modelled and co upled together. In this paper a model of the device, including energy balance and circuit coupling, is outlined, and its application to plas ma discharges is discussed.