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Title: Effects of an External Perturbation on a Cylindrical Spheromak

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/15007468· OSTI ID:15007468

In experiments like the spheromak, it becomes interesting to investigate the quality o f the magnetic flux surfaces in the device. One method of doing so is to impose an external perturbation. If the magnetic field without perturbation is tangled and no flux surfaces exist, then the perturbation will have little effect. However, if the field has well defined flux surfaces, the field should react strongly to a perturbation. Magnetic islands should form and potentially cause a degradation of the plasma This paper will assume the second case of good behavior and closed surfaces and will attempt to describe the effects of an external perturbation. Geometry-wise, we begin with the infinite cylinder approximation to a toroidally confined plasma. In the unperturbed state of this cylinder there are a toroidal field (axial field in the cylindrical geometry), a poloidal field and no radial field.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
US Department of Energy (US)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
OSTI ID:
15007468
Report Number(s):
UCRL-ID-149586; TRN: US0401997
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 13 May 2002
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English