Mechanism for major disruptions in tokamaks

Journal Article · Mon Nov 13 00:00:00 EST 1978 · Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.41.1386· OSTI ID:6497829

Waddell, B V; Carreras, B; Hicks, H R; Holmes, J A; Lee, D K

We propose a mechanism for the major disruption in tokamaks that involves the nonlinear destabilization of tearing modes by the (m = 2)/(n = 1) tearing mode, where m and n denote the poloidal and toroidal mode numbers, respectively. The magnetic islands generated can extend across the plasma cross section. For resistivities of the order of magnitude of these in TOSCA and LT-3, the time scale for their appearance is consistent with the time for the major disruption.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• OSTI ID: 6497829
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States), Vol. 41:20
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
TOKAMAK DEVICES
TEARING INSTABILITY
ANALYTICAL SOLUTION
ASPECT RATIO
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
FOURIER ANALYSIS
LOW-BETA PLASMA
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
PLASMA EXPANSION
CLOSED PLASMA DEVICES
EQUATIONS
EXPANSION
INSTABILITY
PLASMA
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MACROINSTABILITIES
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
700105* - Fusion Energy- Plasma Research- Plasma Kinetics-Theoretical- (-1987)