One-dimensional hybrid simulations of the imploding large Larmor radius Z pinch

The interaction of an imploding plasma-vacuum boundary (PVB) with a collisi onless Z pinch for the case where the ions have orbits comparable to the ra dius is studied. Two principal results are found. First, the development of sheared axial ion flow occurs as a result of large Larmor radius (LLR) ion s interacting with the moving PVB. This contrasts strongly with the equival ent case in ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). The second result is a modifi cation to current density profiles. These are smoother (due to LLR effects) than those from ideal MHD. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S1070- 664X(99)01709-7].