Interchange stabilization of an axisymmetric single cell mirror using high-frequency electric fields

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

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.866201· OSTI ID:6344046

Ferron, J R; Golovato, S N; Hershkowitz, N; Goulding, R

Stabilization of interchange instabilities in the Phaedrus tandem mirror (Phys. Rev. Lett. 51, 1955 (1983)) through the use of externally applied RF at a single frequency is demonstrated over a wide range of frequency (1.03..cap omega../sub i/ <..omega..<4.1..cap omega../sub i/). Here RF stabilized plasmas are reported with ion temperature up to 550 eV and beta up to 8%. Calculations of the RF electric fields show that the dominant mode is the m = +1 fast wave. When the RF frequency is near ..cap omega../sub i/ the calculated ponderomotive forces on ions and electrons are shown to be comparable. For ..omega..>1.3..cap omega../sub i/ it is shown that the force acts primarily on electrons. Stable plasmas are only achieved when the net radial ponderomotive force is calculated to be stabilizing and comparable to the curvature force. Results are also reported for RF applied simultaneously at two frequencies, one which is stabilizing and one which is destabilizing. Abrupt changes in stability are observed as the RF power is increased whenever one of the RF frequencies is effective at plasma heating.

• Research Organization: University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706
• OSTI ID: 6344046
• Journal Information: Phys. Fluids; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Fluids; (United States) Vol. 30:6; ISSN PFLDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700101* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Confinement
Heating
&amp; Production
700107 -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Instabilities
BETA RATIO
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ENERGY RANGE
EV RANGE
EV RANGE 100-1000
FLUTE INSTABILITY
HEATING
INSTABILITY
ION TEMPERATURE
MAGNETIC MIRRORS
MONOCHROMATIC RADIATION
OPEN PLASMA DEVICES
PLASMA
PLASMA HEATING
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MACROINSTABILITIES
RADIATIONS
RF SYSTEMS
STABILIZATION
TANDEM MIRRORS
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES