Numerical studies of a field-reversed theta-pinch plasma

Technical Report · Sun Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:5948649

Milroy, R D; Brackbill, J U

A two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic computer code has been used to model the formation of a field reversed theta pinch plasma. The simulations have been performed in the parameter range of the recent FRX-B experiments. It is found that an anomalous resistivity is required to explain the observed decay of reversed magnetic flux. The reconnection process is found to be sensitive to the density and amount of trapped reverse bias flux but insensitive to the assumed magnitude of anomalous resistivity. The reconnection process is more rapid and the axial plasma motion induced by reconnection is more pronounced for larger bias flux. If a straight coil is used instead of the usual shaped coil (end mirrors) full reconnection does not occur for low initial bias fields. These results are in general agreement with FRX-B observations.

• Research Organization: Mathematical Sciences Northwest, Inc., Bellevue, WA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-80ER53098
• OSTI ID: 5948649
• Report Number(s): MSNW-81-1158-2; ON: DE82004511
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700105* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Plasma Kinetics-Theoretical-- (-1987)
COMPUTER CALCULATIONS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
FLUID MECHANICS
HYDRODYNAMICS
MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS
MAGNETIC FLUX
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MECHANICS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PINCH EFFECT
PLASMA SIMULATION
REVERSE-FIELD PINCH
SIMULATION
THETA PINCH
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS