Recent results from the Tara tandem mirror and Constance-B mirror
The Tara tandem mirror program has studied anchor and ponderomotive stabilization, axicell plugging with ECH and ICRF, sloshing ion buildup in the axicells, and halo formation and stabilization by an axisymmetric divertor. Central cell plasma parameters achieved by midplane fueling and slow wave ICRF heating from a local magnetic hill are ..beta.. = 1.2%, n/sub e/ = 3 x 10/sup 12/ cm/sup -3/. The plasma is stabilized both by anchor ion ..beta.. and by ponderomotive stabilization with the central cell ICRF in combination with a magnetic divertor, realizing a completely axisymmetric configuration. Anchor ICRF creates non-Boltzman potential plugging of central cell ions. Neutral beam injection establishes a sloshing ion distribution for a cold dense central cell stream; the hot ion confinement is classical and dominated by electron drag. Axicell ECH plugging experiments lead to near total reduction in endloss, but also to a decrease in the central cell density, indicating increased radial losses. Single-ended ECH plugging shows no increase in opposite endloss. Single-ended plugging with axicell ICRF produces 50% reduction in ion endloss, with about half of the reflected ions observed in the opposite endloss. In the Constance-B quadrupole mirror the hot electron pressure profile is peaked off-axis and has the shape of a baseball seam.
- Research Organization:
- Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge (USA). Plasma Fusion Center
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-78ET51013
- OSTI ID:
- 6833322
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/ET/51013-200; PFC/CP-86-15; CONF-861106-20; ON: DE87005996
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: IAEA international conference on plasma physics and controlled nuclear fusion research, Kyoto, Japan, 12 Nov 1986; Other Information: Paper copy only, copy does not permit microfiche production
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Heating and stabilization by slow waves in the Tara tandem mirror
Heating and stabilization by slow waves in the Tara tandem mirror