Steady-state radiation ablation in the wire-array Z pinch

The mass ablation phase of a wire-array Z pinch is investigated using steady-state r , simulations. By identifying the dominant physical mechanisms governing the ablation process, a simple scaling relation is derived for the mass ablation rate ṁ with drive current I, in the case where radiation is the primary energy transport mechanism to the wire core. In order to investigate the dependence of ṁ on wire core size, a simplified analytical model is developed involving a wire core placed in a heat bath and ablating due to radiation. Results of the model, simulation, and experiment are compared. © 2007 American Institute of Physics. DOI: 10.1063/1.2435332