Suppression of Rayleigh-Taylor instability in Z-pinch loads with tailored density profiles

A load structure with tailored density profile which delays the onset of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability development in imploding Z-pinches by inverting acceleration of the magnetic field/plasma interface is proposed and studied numerically. This approach makes it possible to start gas-puff implosions from large radii (like 8 cm) and produce significant K-shell yield with current pulse duration of 250 ns and longer.