Role of magnetic reconnection and differential rotation in spheromak formation

Journal Article · Tue Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1985 · Phys. Fluids; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.865357· OSTI ID:5364576

Guzdar, P N; Finn, J M; Whang, K W; Bondeson, A

The physical processes involved in the formation of a spheromak are studied. Using one-fluid axisymmetric resistive magnetohydrodynamic equations together with a temperature equation, investigations of the essential physics aspects of the formation specifically for the new Maryland Spheromak (MS) (J. Antoniades, C. Chin-Fatt, A. DeSilva, G. Goldenbaum, R. Hess, and R. Shaw, in Proceedings of the Sixth U. S. Symposium on Compact Torus Research, Princeton, 1984 (Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, NJ, 1985), p. 65) have been performed. These studies elucidate the role of differential rotation in accelerating the penetration of toroidal field B/sub phi/ and in forcing Iequivalent rB/sub phi/ to be a flux function. Another important aspect of the formation is the magnetic reconnection that occurs at the X point between the two reversal coils. A strong toroidal current is generated by the reconnection, and the X point is converted into an O point that finally becomes the magnetic axis of the spheromak. In this latter phase of reconnection, the plasma is heated very strongly. Studies have also been done on the effect of the difference in phase and time scales for the reversal and I/sub z/ banks for the purpose of optimization.

• Research Organization: Laboratory for Plasma and Fusion Energy Studies, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742
• OSTI ID: 5364576
• Journal Information: Phys. Fluids; (United States), Vol. 28:10
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
PLASMA
MAGNETIC SURFACES
SPHEROMAK DEVICES
PLASMA CONFINEMENT
BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
COMPRESSION
COMPUTER CODES
CONVECTION
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
JOULE HEATING
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
METALS
RELAXATION
SIMULATION
THERMAL CONDUCTION
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
VISCOSITY
WALLS
CLOSED PLASMA DEVICES
CONFINEMENT
ELECTRIC HEATING
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELEMENTS
ENERGY TRANSFER
FLUID MECHANICS
HEAT TRANSFER
HEATING
HYDRODYNAMICS
MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS
MASS TRANSFER
MECHANICS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLASMA HEATING
RESISTANCE HEATING
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
TOKAMAK DEVICES
700101* - Fusion Energy- Plasma Research- Confinement
Heating
& Production