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HIGH CURRENT GAS DISCHARGES

Journal Article · · Repts. Progr. in Phys.
High-current discharges are taken to be those discharges whose self- magnetic fields play an important role in their behavior. Such discharges were studied mainly in connection with the quest for controlled thermonuclear reactions. Of the many possible configurations for the discharge tube and the electromagnetic fields, the pinch discharges in straight or toroidal tubes have received the most attention and, accordingly, a major part of this review is devoted to these discharges. Other configurations are reviewed. Following an historical and introductory review of the subject, a set of appropriate plasma equations is presented and the common approximations and physical concepts associated with the theory are discussed. The properties of the pinch discharge are considered under the headings Discharge Initiation and Contraction, Equilibrium, Magnetohydrodynamic Stability, Particle Heating and Energy Loss, and Nuclear Reactions. (auth)
Research Organization:
General Atomic Div., General Dynamics Corp., San Diego, Calif.
NSA Number:
NSA-15-030163
OSTI ID:
4838589
Report Number(s):
GA-1507
Journal Information:
Repts. Progr. in Phys., Journal Name: Repts. Progr. in Phys. Vol. Vol: 24
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English

References (89)

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