2D MHD computer modeling of dense plasma focus accelerators

Dense Plasma Focus (DPF) discharge is a very promising mechanism to achieve high neutron production yield (about 10/sup 11/-10/sup 12/ per pulse) from the D-T reactions. Focus is conjectured to be a finite 2D Z-pinch formation near the end of the coaxial plasma accelerator, typically having the density above the level of 10/sup 19//cm/sup 3/ and temperature of a few keV during 100 to 150 ns. Interest to DPF appeared since the pioneer experiments of Filippov and the first theoretical reviews of Dyachenko and Imshennik and Mather. During the last decades theoretical investigation of DPF lagged behind the experiments, giving scant explanation of the experimental results. At the same time modeling and diagnostic capabilities have been dramatically improved. This presentation shows that the computer simulation by the code MHRDR (Magneto Hydro Radiative Dynamic Research) can help meet the goals and challenges of the LANL-Bechtel Nevada Dense Plasma Focus Accelerator project. Theoretical estimations, made in this report, represent the bounds between the parameters of source generator, geometry of the electrodes and feeding circuit and the initial density of the background gas in the form of the simple scaling laws.