Imploding to equilibrium of helically symmetric theta pinches

Technical Report · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1978

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5971510· OSTI ID:5971510

Sharky, N. N.

The time-dependent, single-fluid, dissipative magnetohydrodynamic equations are solved in helical coordinates (r,phi), where phi = THETA-kz, k = 2..pi../L and L is the periodicity length in the z-direction. The two-dimensional numerical calculations simulate theta pinches which have an l = 1 helical field added to them. Given the applied magnetic fields and the initial state of the plasma, we study the time evolution of the system. The plasma is found to experience two kinds of oscillations, occurring on different time scales. These are the radial compression oscillations, and the slower helical oscillations of the plasma column. The plasma motion is followed until these oscillations disappear and an equilibrium is nearly reached. Hence given the amplitude and the rise time of the applied magnetic fields, the calculations allow one to relate the initial state of a cold, homogeneous plasma to its final equilibrium state where it is heated and compressed.

• Research Organization: Columbia Univ., New York (USA). Plasma Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-S-02-2456
• OSTI ID: 5971510
• Report Number(s): COO-2456-56; TRN: 79-020621
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Thesis
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
EQUILIBRIUM PLASMA
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
HELICAL INSTABILITY
THETA PINCH
MAGNETIC FIELDS
TIME DEPENDENCE
FLUID MECHANICS
HYDRODYNAMICS
INSTABILITY
MECHANICS
PINCH EFFECT
PLASMA
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MACROINSTABILITIES
700107* - Fusion Energy- Plasma Research- Instabilities