Theory of hot particle stability

Journal Article · Tue Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · Phys. Fluids; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.866033· OSTI ID:6282804

Berk, H L; Wong, H V; Tsang, K T

The investigation of stabilization of hot particle drift reversed systems to low frequency modes has been extended to arbitrary hot beta US /sub H/, for systems that have unfavorable field-line curvature. Steep profile equilibria are considered where the thickness of the pressure drop , is less than plasma radius r/sub p/. The analysis describes layer modes which have m /r/sub p/ <1, where m is the mode number, and radial structure larger than . Stabilization is classified as either being ''robust,'' where all excitations are positive energy, or ''fragile,'' where stability criteria exist to magnetohydrodynamic (MHD)-like and drift-compressional instabilities, but positive and negative energy waves are present (with the possibility that negative energy waves are destabilized by dissipative mechanisms). It is shown that in making a continuous transition from the fragile stability regime to the robust stability regime one must go through an unstable region. To bridge the unstable band in a physical manner one must either produce robust stability conditions very rapidly, or use transient stability techniques such as ponderomotive forces or transient minimum-B coils. The positive energy stabilization terms of the layer mode from wall stabilization terms and finite Larmor radius terms are explicitly exhibited.

• Research Organization: Institute for Fusion Studies, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712
• OSTI ID: 6282804
• Journal Information: Phys. Fluids; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Fluids; (United States) Vol. 30:9; ISSN PFLDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700107* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Instabilities
BETA RATIO
EQUILIBRIUM
HOT PLASMA
INSTABILITY
MAGNETIC MIRRORS
OPEN PLASMA DEVICES
PINCH EFFECT
PLASMA
PLASMA INSTABILITY
REVERSE-FIELD PINCH
STABILIZATION
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES