Effects of plasma jet initial conditions on liner smoothness and post-ignition behavior on PLX-BETHE

The PLX-BETHE project is studying plasma liner formation and implosion by merging a spherical array of plasma jets as a standoff driver for magneto-inertial fusion (MIF). Numerical simulations using a three-dimensional smoothed particle hydrodynamic model (SPFMax) have been performed for the formation of a plasma liner for the PLX-BETHE experiment. The simulation will model supersonic plasma jets merging to create a liner around a magnetized target. Key physical processes include shock waves, jet interpenetration, radiation, thermal conduction, and tabular equations of state. Variations in plasma jet velocity and initial plasma state will be introduced to investigate effects on liner thickness and shock wave production during liner formation for subscale and reactor relevant conditions. Solid-angle-averaged and standard deviation of liner ram pressure and Mach number reveal variations during liner formation and implosion. Spherical-harmonic mode-number analysis of spherical slices of ram pressure at various radii and times provides a quantitative means to assess liner non-uniformity evolution. Post-ignition behavior will be modelled to examine the effects of these shock waves on expansion.