Slow formation and sustainment of spheromaks by a coaxial magnetized plasma source

Journal Article · Mon Jul 04 04:00:00 EDT 1983 · Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.51.39· OSTI ID:5829584

Jarboe, T R; Henins, I; Sherwood, A R; Barnes, C W; Hoida, H W

Two steps have been taken towards determining if the flux absorption and relaxation properties of a spheromak will allow dc-powered electrodes to form and sustain a steady-state spheromak. Without changing the physical properties of the spheromak, the formation time was increased from an Alfven time to a tearing time, reducing the coaxial source power from approx.10 GW to approx.500 MW. With use of approx.50 MW, spheromaks were formed and then sustained at constant density and field for 1 ms, much longer than a magnetic energy decay time.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545
• OSTI ID: 5829584
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 51:1; ISSN PRLTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700101 -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Confinement
Heating
& Production
700106* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Plasma Production-- (-1987)
CLOSED PLASMA DEVICES
ELECTRODES
MAGNETIC FLUX
OPERATION
PLASMA DENSITY
PLASMA FOCUS
RELAXATION
SPHEROMAK DEVICES
STEADY-STATE CONDITIONS
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
TOKAMAK DEVICES