Observation of trapped particle modes in a tandem mirror

Journal Article · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Phys Fluids B; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.859120· OSTI ID:6386033

Gerver, M J; Golovato, S N; Irby, J H; Kesner, J; Casey, J A; Guss, W C; Horne, S F; Lane, B G; Machuzak, J S; Post, R S; others, and

An instability with azimuthal mode number mgreater than or equal to3 localized to an axisymmetric end cell of the Tara tandem mirror (Nucl. Fusion 22, 549 (1982)) has been observed, most prominently during strong ion cyclotron resonance heating in the end cell. The instability, which causes enhanced radial losses, becomes either more stable or flutelike when the connection (passing fraction) between the central cell and end cell is increased, depending on whether sufficient stabilization is provided in the central cell. The beta is sufficiently low to rule out the possibility of magnetohydrodynamic ballooning modes. Based on the plasma parameters, the instability appears to be a collisionless curvature-driven trapped particle mode that has been predicted to be unstable in linked minimum- and maximum-B mirror devices.

• Research Organization: Plasma Fusion Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
• OSTI ID: 6386033
• Journal Information: Phys Fluids B; (United States), Journal Name: Phys Fluids B; (United States) Vol. 1:3; ISSN PFBPE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700107* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Instabilities
AZIMUTH
COLLISIONLESS PLASMA
ENERGY LOSSES
FLUID MECHANICS
HEATING
HIGH-FREQUENCY HEATING
HYDRODYNAMICS
ICR HEATING
INSTABILITY
LOSSES
LOW-BETA PLASMA
MAGNETIC MIRRORS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MECHANICS
OPEN PLASMA DEVICES
PLASMA
PLASMA HEATING
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MACROINSTABILITIES
TANDEM MIRRORS
TARA DEVICES
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
TRAPPED-PARTICLE INSTABILITY