Efficient computation of current in multiwire Z-pinch arrays

This paper presents a fast, memory efficient, and accurate method to calculate the current distributions in solid wires in wire z-pinch arrays. Building upon previous work, we reformulate inductance equations to significantly reduce the number of variables from N_wxN_b to N_w+N_b-1, where N_w is the number of wires and N_b is the number of return conductor elements, or "backposts". Test cases of N_w and N_b in the hundreds show reduction of computing time by as much as five orders of magnitude. Extension of this inductive model to include resistive effects is indicated.