Ignition of fusion burn wave by nonthermal plasma of Z-pinch

Neutron emission from a Z-pinch is anisotropic and the energy distribution function of the ions is nonmaxwellian. The analysis in this paper emphasizes that a non-maxwellian distribution of ion energy corresponds to an enhanced nuclear fusion production compared to the maxwellian case. The criterion for burn wave ignition is discussed under the assumption of nuclear energy release from a non-thermal plasma in a Z-pinch.