Numerical simulations of Z-pinch experiments to create supersonic differentially-rotating plasma flows

The aim of this work is to produce and study a high energy density laboratory plasma relevant to astrophysical accretion disks. To this end, an experimental setup based on a modified cylindrical wire array was devised, which employs a cusp magnetic field to introduce angular momentum into the system. The setup was studied numerically with the three-dimensional, resistive magneto-hydrodynamic code GORGON. Simulations show that a differentially-rotating flow is formed, with typical rotation velocity and Mach number values of 60 km/s and M_φ ～ 5 respectively. The plasma is radiatively cooled and presents a Reynolds number higher than 10⁷. In addition, the magnetic Reynolds number and the plasma β are >1. Such a plasma is of interest for the study of hydrodynamic and magneto-hydrodynamic instabilities, and turbulence generation in differentially-rotating plasma flows.