title: Evidence of stabilization in the Z-pinch.
abstract: Theoretical studies have predicted that the Z-pinch can be stabilized with a sufficiently sheared axial flow [U. Shumlak and C. W. Hartman, Phys. Rev. Lett. 75, 3285 (1995)]. A Z-pinch experiment is designed to generate a plasma which contains a large axial flow. Magnetic fluctuations and velocity profiles in the plasma pinch are measured. Experimental results show a stable period which is over 700 times the expected instability growth time in a static Z-pinch. The experimentally measured axial velocity shear is greater than the theoretical threshold during the stable period and approximately zero afterwards when the magnetic mode fluctuations are high.
authors.affiliation: University of Washington, Aerospace and Energetics Research Program, Seattle, Washington 98195-2250, USA.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Shumlak
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Golingo
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Den Hartog