Full magnetohydrodynamic simulation of the tilting instability in a field-reversed configuration

Journal Article · Wed Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1989 · Phys Fluids B; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.859118· OSTI ID:6386051

Horiuchi, R; Sato, T

Nonlinear evolution of the tilting instability in a field-reversed configuration (FRC) is investigated by means of a three-dimensional full magnetohydrodynamic simulation. Three types of plasma model are considered, i.e., case (a) where the plasma is confined by a uniform external field, case (b) where the plasma is confined by a mirror external field, and case (c) where the plasma rotates around the major axis. For the prolate FRC the internal tilt mode cannot stay at a low amplitude but keeps growing irrespective of whether the mirror field exists or not. When the initial configuration is substantially deformed, the instability triggers an external mode at the plasma--vacuum boundary because of the pressure imbalance. The outgoing flow driven by the external mode tears the plasma into two pieces, and the torn pieces move away toward the axial edges. The growth time is nearly equal to the transit time for the Alfven wave to propagate over the plasma length. When the plasma is driven to spin with the Mach number of M = 1.5, the growth rate is halved compared to the nonrotating case. The spin stabilization is expected to be complete for M>2.5. It is also found that the oblate FRC plasma is linearly unstable against the external tilt mode.

• Research Organization: Science Project Corporation, Kuchita-Mimami 3-40-17-304, Asakita-ku, Hiroshima 739-19, Japan
• OSTI ID: 6386051
• Journal Information: Phys Fluids B; (United States), Vol. 1:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
PLASMA
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
PLASMA SIMULATION
TILTING INSTABILITY
INSTABILITY GROWTH RATES
MAGNETIC FIELD REVERSAL
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
NUMERICAL ANALYSIS
SIMULATION
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
FLUID MECHANICS
HYDRODYNAMICS
INSTABILITY
MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS
MATHEMATICS
MECHANICS
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MACROINSTABILITIES
700107* - Fusion Energy- Plasma Research- Instabilities