The computation of resistive MHD instabilities in axisymmetric toroidal plasmas

Technical Report · Fri Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1991

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6134340· OSTI ID:6134340

Harley, T R; Cheng, C Z; Jardin, S C

We describe the linear MHD eigenmode code NOVA-R, which calculates the resistive stability of axisymmetric toroidal equilibria. A formulation has been adopted which accurately resolves the continuum spectrum of the ideal MHD operator. The resistive MHD stability equations are transformed into three coupled second order equations, one of which recovers the equation solved by the NOVA code in the ideal limit. The eigenfunctions are represented by a Fourier expansion and cubic B-spline finite elements which are packed about the internal boundary layer. Accurate results are presented for dimensionless resistivities as low as 10{sup {minus}30} in cylindrical geometry. For axisymmetric toroidal plasmas we demonstrate the accuracy of the NOVA-R code by recovering ideal results in the {eta} {yields} 0 limit, and cylindrical resistive interchange results in the a/R {yields} limit. {Delta}{prime} analysis performed using the eigenfunctions computed by the NOVA-R code agree with the asymptotic matching results from the resistive PEST code for zero beta equilibria. 33 refs., 30 figs.

• Research Organization: Princeton Plasma Physics Lab. (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH03073
• OSTI ID: 6134340
• Report Number(s): PPPL-2737; ON: DE91010725; TRN: 91-011425
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
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CLOSED PLASMA DEVICES
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