Plasma is an energetic state of matter with major implications for sustainable energy production, space travel, and foundational understanding of the universe, and yet it remains extraordinarily difficult to accurately simulate plasma behavior. Inadequate predictive modeling has been one of the major barriers to the advancement of fusion energy systems. 

To address this challenge, this project will advance and test state-of-the-art, high-fidelity kinetic simulation capabilities. Kinetic modeling captures the dynamics of plasmas far from local thermodynamic equilibrium. This regime is critically important for practical fusion technologies and is beyond the scope of more prevalent magnetohydrodynamic fluid descriptions. Specifically, this project will apply Vlasov kinetic modeling (an emerging alternative to the more frequently employed particle-in-cell method) to critical fusion plasma phenomena that are inherently three- dimensional. The simulation results and model performance will enhance understanding of Z-pinch fusion concepts and inform the viability of Vlasov kinetic modeling for broader applications in plasma science. 

This project focuses on the study of Z pinches, a configuration for fusion plasma confinement and compression that directly drives a linear current to generate an encircling magnetic field that compresses plasma inwards. The configuration is simple and efficient, representing a potentially optimal fusion energy source, but is hindered by rapidly growing plasma instabilities. As such, phenomena of interest include instabilities, effects of compression, and electrode plasma sheath dynamics. Simulation of these phenomena is only recently possible on the most powerful supercomputers employing thousands of graphics processing units (GPUs). Improved models of Z-pinch dynamics will advance the domestic development of fusion energy and support ongoing R&D campaigns on Zap Energy’s FuZE Z-pinch devices.