The Z-pinch configuration offers the promise of a compact fusion device owing to its simple geometry, unity beta, and absence of external magnetic field coils. Increasing the axial current compresses the plasma, resulting in a rapid rise of the fusion reaction rate. Historically, the Z pinch has been plagued by fast growing instabilities that limit plasma lifetimes. Recent progress has resulted from investigating approaches that provide stability. One approach exploits sheared-flow stabilization to produce an equilibrium Z pinch, which sustains the compressed plasma state for durations much longer than other plasma timescales. Recent experimental and simulation results encourage pursuit of the stabilized Z pinch to explore its fusion performance limits.

中文翻译：

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Z-pinch 融合

由于其简单的几何形状、统一的 β 和没有外部磁场线圈，Z 夹配置提供了紧凑型聚变装置的前景。增加轴向电流会压缩等离子体，导致聚变反应速率迅速上升。从历史上看，Z 夹点一直受到限制等离子体寿命的快速增长的不稳定性的困扰。最近的进展来自于研究提供稳定性的方法。一种方法利用剪切流稳定来产生平衡 Z 夹点，其维持压缩等离子体状态的持续时间比其他等离子体时间尺度长得多。最近的实验和模拟结果鼓励追求稳定的 Z 收缩来探索其融合性能极限。