Finite Larmor radius stabilization of ballooning modes in an axisymmetric tandem mirror

Journal Article · Tue Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · Phys. Fluids; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.863346· OSTI ID:5865086

D'Ippolito, D A; Francis, G L; Myra, J R; Tang, W M

The stability of an axisymmetric tandem mirror to ballooning modes is examined including the effect of finite ion gyroradius stabilization. The central cell of the tandem mirror is treated as a long-thin system with isotropic pressure, while the end plug is modeled by a stabilizing boundary condition. For the particular equilibrium considered, the finite Larmor radius corrections to ideal magnetohydrodynamic theory indicate a strong stabilizing effect on high--n ballooning modes even for quite modest values of the gyroradius, k/sub perpendicular/ rho/sub i/approx.a/L<<1. The dependence of ..beta../sub c/ on k/sub perpendicular/ rho/sub i/ is computed, and physical mechanisms associated with this stabilizing influence are discussed.

• Research Organization: Plasma Research Institute, Science Applications, Inc., Boulder, Colorado 80302
• OSTI ID: 5865086
• Journal Information: Phys. Fluids; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Fluids; (United States) Vol. 24:12; ISSN PFLDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700107* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Instabilities
700108 -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Wave Phenomena
BALLOONING INSTABILITY
BETA RATIO
FLUID MECHANICS
HYDRODYNAMICS
INSTABILITY
LARMOR RADIUS
MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS
MAGNETIC MIRROR CONFIGURATIONS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MECHANICS
OPEN CONFIGURATIONS
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MACROINSTABILITIES
STABILIZATION