Compact torus experiments and theory

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:5254685

Armstrong, W T; Barnes, D C; Bartsch, R R

Two types of compact toroids have been studied: spheromaks and field-reversed configurations (FRC). Spheromaks, which contain both toroidal and poloidal fields, have been formed with a magnetized coaxial injector and trapped in both prolate and oblate flux conservers. As expected from theory, the prolate configuration always tilts, but the oblate configuration can be made stable even in the presence of a guide field. Observations include 150..mu..s lifetimes, approx. 10/sup 14/ cm/sup -3/, and a decrease of field fluctuations by a factor of 100 at the time of complete reconnection. Theoretical studies of the FRC (no toroidal field) have been compared with the results of two field-reversed theta-pinches, FRX-A and FRX-B.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos Scientific Lab., NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 5254685
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-80-1826; CONF-800707-12
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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CLOSED PLASMA DEVICES
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MAGNETIC FIELDS
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SCALING LAWS
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