Nonlinear tearing mode study using the {open_quotes}almost ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD){close_quotes} constraint

Journal Article · Wed Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1998 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.872942· OSTI ID:636154

Ren, C ^[1]; Jensen, T H ^[2]; Callen, J D ^[1]

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1. University of Wisconsin--Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706-1687 (United States)
2. General Atomics, P. O. Box 85608, San Diego, California 92186-9784 (United States)

Tearing modes of finite amplitude are studied numerically using the {open_quotes}almost ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD){close_quotes} constraint, which is a modification of the ideal MHD constraints that allows reconnection of the magnetic field lines. For the one-dimensional initial equilibria studied here, the stability criterion is found to be the same as that of the linear tearing mode theory, namely {Delta}{sup {prime}}{lt}0. The nonlinear saturation level of the mode can also be determined; it is found to be smaller than that estimated from {Delta}{sup {prime}}(W{sub sat})=0 [R. B. White {ital et al.}, Phys. Fluids {bold 20}, 800 (1977)]. {copyright} {ital 1998 American Institute of Physics.}

• OSTI ID: 636154
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 5; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MHD EQUILIBRIUM
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
SATURATION
TEARING INSTABILITY