Study of a 2-D Time-Dependent Capillary Discharge Model

A 2-D time-dependent magnetohydrodynamic model of an ablation-dominated capillary is developed. The capillary discharge test is carried out to verify the validity of the numerical model. Special attention is paid to the radial distribution of the capillary discharge plasma characteristics. In addition, the factors that influence the radial distribution are investigated. Then, the competition of the ablation and deposition process with time in the capillary discharge is discussed. The results show that radial distributions of plasma characteristics are significant and influenced by the ablation rate. Three stages of the capillary discharge are observed, and the shorter rise time of the charging current would lead to a more uniform radial distribution of plasma temperature.