Two-dimensional modeling of the dynamics and radiation output from magnetically driven Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities in hollow Z-pinches

Summary form only given, as follows. A two-dimensional computational methodology has been developed which uses a phenomenological representation of initial perturbations to model the evolution of magnetically driven Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities in a hollow Z-pinch. The drive current waveform and X-ray output obtained from the perturbed two-dimensional models differ qualitatively from the results of one-dimensional (unperturbed) models. The results from the perturbed model reproduce the principle features of Z-pinch experiments conducted on the Los Alamos Pegasus II facility. We discuss the computational approach used in this study and present comparisons between simulations and experimental measurements of current waveforms, visible framing camera pictures, spectra, XRD and bolometry data.