Numerical generation and stability study of MHD equilibria for the BYU Topolotron device

Thesis/Dissertation · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:5901140

Peterson, D L

The subjects of equilibrium and dynamic stability to ideal local modes in the MHD model are addressed for the BYU Topolotron. A computer code designed to correctly produce the Topolotron features of limit cycles and two channels of toroidal current within the plasma solves the Grad-Shafranov equation of plasma equilibrium using an inner-outer iteration technique. A variety of diffuse-boundary MHD equilibria were computed for an axisymmetic idealization of the BYU Topolotron. A numerical instability to up-down asymmetry was found and has suggested a possible similar dynamic instability. The stability of the computed equilibria with respect to ideal local MHD stability, in particular the ballooning instability, was examined with a computer code adapted to apply to the Topolotron equilibria. It has been found that equilibria stable to local modes exist and a comparison with Tokamak equilibria indicates that the Topolotron equilibria have comparable stability. The results from the stability code have suggested modifications to the device that will improve the likelihood of producing a stable plasma.

• Research Organization: Brigham Young Univ., Provo, UT (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5901140
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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