Observations of high-beta toroidal plasmas

Journal Article · Mon May 25 04:00:00 EDT 1981 · Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.46.1394· OSTI ID:6187554

Halle, J H; Kellman, A G; Post, R S; Prager, S C; Strait, E J; Zarnstorff, M C

A wide range of magnetohydrodynamic-stable high-..beta.. plasmas is produced in the University of Wisconsin Levitated Toroidal Octupole. Near the single-fluid regime we obtain, in the bad curvature region, ..beta.. = nk(T/sub e/+T/sub i/)8..pi../B/sup 2/roughly-equal8%, twice the theoretical single-fluid ballooning instability limit of 4%. We also obtain stable plasmas at ..beta..roughly-equal35%, nine times the theoretical limit, in a regime in which finite--ion-gyroradius (e.g., gyroviscosity) effects are important. Experimental spatial profiles of the equilibrium diamagnetism are compared with theory.

• Research Organization: University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706
• OSTI ID: 6187554
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 46:21; ISSN PRLTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700106* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Plasma Production-- (-1987)
700107 -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Instabilities
CLOSED PLASMA DEVICES
DIAMAGNETISM
EQUILIBRIUM
FLUID MECHANICS
HYDRODYNAMICS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETISM
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MECHANICS
PINCH DEVICES
PLASMA PRODUCTION
STABILITY
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
TOROIDAL PINCH DEVICES