Z-pinch

English

Etymology

Z refers to the direction of the current in the devices, the z-axis on a normal three-dimensional graph.

Noun

Z-pinch (plural Z-pinches)

1. A kind of plasma confinement system that uses an electrical current in the plasma to generate a magnetic field that compresses it.

   Synonym: zeta pinch

Usage notes

• These systems were originally referred to simply as pinch or Bennett pinch (after Willard Harrison Bennett), but the introduction of the θ-pinch (theta pinch) concept led to the need for increased clarity.