Effect of anomalous conductivity on the dynamics of the plasma focus

The formation and decay of the plasma focus have been simulated numerically using a one-dimensional MHD model incorporating anomalous plasma resistance. Numerical simulation of the final stage of the plasma focus shows that there is some decrease in the number of particles in the cross section of the plasma column due to the plasma outflow along the axis of the system, and at a certain time the directed electron velocity exceeds the thresholds for excitation of several high-frequency instabilities. As a result of these instabilities, the plasma resistance becomes anomalously high, causing rapid diffusion of the magnetic field into the plasma and turbulent plasma heating. Radial confinement of the plasma by the magnetic field is destroyed, and the compression of the plasma column gives way to a rapid expansion. Although the plasma temperature increases at the time of the expansion, the sharp decrease in the density ends the neutron emission from the plasma focus.