High-fidelity Physics Modeling at Zap Energy

Zap Energy's Theory and Modeling team develops high-fidelity physical models of sheared-flow-stabilized (SFS) Z-pinch plasmas. Efforts to build a predictive understanding of SFS Z-pinch physics are achieved through MHD modeling, studies of stability under flows, and research into underlying physical phenomena. These phenomena include two-fluid effects, kinetic effects, adiabatic and non-adiabatic processes, and plasma-material interactions. In this poster, we will present highlights from a cross-section of the modeling work underway at Zap Energy.

[1] U. Shumlak, J. Appl. Phys. 127, 200901 (2020)

[2] A.D. Stepanov et al., Phys. Plasmas 27, 112503 (2020)

[3] E.T. Meier and U. Shumlak, Phys. Plasmas 28, 092512 (2021)

[4] U. Shumlak et al., Fusion Sci. Technol. (2023)

[5] I.A.M Datta et al., Nucl. Fusion 64 066016 (2024)

[6] D.W. Crews et al., IEEE Trans. on Plasma Science (2024)

[7] This material is based (in part) upon numerical results generated by the WARPX/WARPXM code developed by U. Shumlak et al., Computational Plasma Dynamics Laboratory, Aerospace and Energetics Research Program, University of Washington. U. Shumlak et al., Computer Physics Communications 182, 1767-1770 (2011).