Experimental observation of neoclassical currents
The parallel and perpendicular equilibrium currents were experimentally studied in the Levitated Octupole, with toroidal field. Observations of the spatial structure, collisionality and toroidal field dependence of the complete current and the ion portion of the current are presented. Experimentally measured currents are compared to neoclassical current distributions calculated for the actual machine geometry. Measurements of the total plasma parallel current for absolute MHD stable flux surfaces (inside the separatrix) agree well with theory, showing the bootstrap and Pfirsch-Schlueter currents as predicted by neoclassical transport theory. On average MHD stable flux surfaces (outside the separatrix) there is more parallel current than predicted by theory, though the spatial structure is correct. Separate measurements of the ion parallel and perpendicular currents agree with theory, showing the lack of measurable ion poloidal rotation in all situations.
- Research Organization:
- Wisconsin Univ., Madison (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5726763
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
700104* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Plasma Kinetics-Experimental-- (-1987)
ANNULAR SPACE
CLOSED CONFIGURATIONS
CLOSED PLASMA DEVICES
CONFIGURATION
CURRENTS
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MULTIPOLAR CONFIGURATIONS
OCTUPOLAR CONFIGURATIONS
SPACE
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
TOROIDAL CONFIGURATION