Large Larmor radius stability of the z pinch.

The linear [ital m]=0 stability of the [ital z] pinch in the collisionless, large ion Larmor radius regime is examined using the Vlasov fluid model. The results reveal a strong equilibrium dependence. The uniform current density equilibrium shows a reduction in growth rate when the average ion Larmor radius is about one-fifth of the pinch radius. However, finite Larmor radius effects cannot in themselves produce a stabilized [ital z] pinch.