Existence of three-dimensional ideal-magnetohydrodynamic equilibria with current sheets
- Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik, D-17491 Greifswald (Germany)
- Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, PO Box 451, Princeton, New Jersey 08543 (United States)
We consider the linear and nonlinear ideal plasma response to a boundary perturbation in a screw pinch. We demonstrate that three-dimensional, ideal-MHD equilibria with continuously nested flux-surfaces and with discontinuous rotational-transform across the resonant rational-surfaces are well defined and can be computed both perturbatively and using fully nonlinear equilibrium calculations. This rescues the possibility of constructing MHD equilibria with current sheets and continuous, smooth pressure profiles. The results predict that, even if the plasma acts as a perfectly conducting fluid, a resonant magnetic perturbation can penetrate all the way into the center of a tokamak without being shielded at the resonant surface.
- OSTI ID:
- 22490117
- Journal Information:
- Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 22, Issue 9; Other Information: (c) 2015 EURATOM; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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