Tokamaks and plasma confinement

[rebc]

I have the fundamental understanding of how tokamaks work. Now, why is it not ideal to confine plasmas using a z- or theta- pinch configurations?

 

[the_wolfman]

I have the fundamental understanding of how tokamaks work. Now, why is it not ideal to confine plasmas using a z- or theta- pinch configurations?

Z-pinches are unstable.

Theta-pinches have problems with end losses.