METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING PLASMA COMPRESSION

A control system manipulates one or more of the shape, timing, and magnitude of a pressure pulse ("plasma pulse trajectory") generated by a plasma compression system to implode a liquid liner surrounding a cavity containing plasma, thereby compressing the plasma. The liquid liner and cavity are created by rotating a liquid medium in a vessel. Compression drivers extend perpendicularly around the liquid medium's rotational axis. Multiple layers of compression drivers are stacked in an axial direction parallel to the rotational axis to form multiple pressure zones extending along the rotational axis. The control system separately controls each pressure zone, or groups of pressure zones, to generate individual pressure pulses each having a different pressure pulse trajectory in each pressure zone. The multiple individual pressure pulses collectively form a combined pressure pulse having a pressure pulse trajectory that varies along the rotational axis.