Abstract

Sheared flow generation is investigated in one dimensional hybrid simulations (kinetic ions/fluid electrons) of imploding plasmas. Examples in both Cartesian and cylindrical (z pinch, ? pinch, screw pinch) geometries are described. It is shown that sheared flow is generated consistent with off-diagonal terms in the collisionless pressure tensor for all cases. These terms result from large Larmor radius ions interacting with the moving plasma-vacuum boundary. The effects of changing the rate of implosion and initial ion orbits through adjustment of the initial ion inertial length (?si were investigated. It was found that the amount of flow generated is maximum when the rate of implosion was maximum and for a specific range of ?si in each case.