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Title: Numerical calculation of compact torus equilibria

Journal Article · · J. Comput. Phys.; (United States)

A method is presented for the calculation of a MHD equilibrium for an axisymmetric compact torus. The plasma pressure is assumed to be a scalar quantity. The plasma and magnetic fields are determined by given adiabatic quantities, entropy, poloidal and toroidal magnetic flux. The equilibrium calculation proceeds by alternating between the solution of the 2-D Grad-Shafranov equation and a 1-D flux surface average of this equation. The 2-D calculation utilizes flux surface coordinates and finite elements. The poloidal flux function psi is computed on an approximate flux surface coordinate system (chi,lambda). The points describing the chi surface are moved to coincide with the surface of constant psi. The 1-D step computes the volume enclosed by each surface. The calculation is necessary due to the equilibrium being specified by adiabatic quantities. Three examples of equilibria computed by this method are represented, two spheromaks and one field reversed configuration (FRC).

Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
OSTI ID:
6462562
Journal Information:
J. Comput. Phys.; (United States), Vol. 53:3
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English