Stabilization of ideal plasma resistive wall modes in cylindrical geometry: The effect of resistive layers

Journal Article · Sun Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1995 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.871078· OSTI ID:118431

Finn, J M ^[1]

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1. Theoretical Division, T-15, MS K717, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545 (United States)

A cylindrical model with finite beta having an external resonant {ital ideal} magnetohydrodynamic instability has been constructed. This resonant mode has a mode rational surface, where the safety factor {ital q} equals {ital m}/{ital n}, within the plasma. In this model, the perturbed radial magnetic field for the ideal mode is nonzero between the mode rational surface and the wall, even though it must vanish at the mode rational surface. This property of the mode is in common with the toroidal external kink. Results are presented showing that in the parameter range for which this ideal mode is stable with a conducting wall but unstable with the wall at infinity, a resistive wall mode persists. However, in the presence of plasma resistivity in a resistive layer about the mode rational surface, this resistive wall mode can be stabilized by a plasma rotation frequency of order a nominal resistive instability growth rate. Furthermore, the stabilization occurs in a large gap in wall position or beta. It is also shown that for the ideal resonant mode, as well as resistive plasma modes and nonresonant ideal plasma modes, there is a {ital maximum} value of plasma rotation above which there is no stability gap. Discussions are presented suggesting that these properties may hold for the toroidal external kink. {copyright} {ital 1995} {ital American} {ital Institute} {ital of} {ital Physics}.

• OSTI ID: 118431
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 2; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ALFVEN WAVES
CYLINDRICAL CONFIGURATION
INSTABILITY GROWTH RATES
KINK INSTABILITY
MEDIUM-BETA PLASMA
MHD EQUILIBRIUM
STABILIZATION
WALL EFFECTS