Computer modeling of theta-pinch behavior with plasma-column rotation

Technical Report · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1981

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6489508· OSTI ID:6489508

McCowan, J. R.; Klevans, E. H.; York, T. M.; Heidrich, J. E.

Radial pressure contributed by plasma column rotation is included in a zero-dimensional, time-dependent computer model used to describe post-implosion behavior of a linear theta pinch device modeled with a diffuse density profile. When the parameter ..cap alpha.. = m/sub i/ /sup 2/a/sup 2//2T > 1, where m/sub 1/ is the ion mass, ..omega.. is the rotation frequency, a is the plasma radius, and T = T/sub i/ + ZT/sub e/ is the plasma temperature, rotational pressure results in a suppression of the internal magnetic field. This leads to an increase in the rate of flux diffusion and ohmic heating. The predictions of the computer simulations agree favorably with results of one experiment characterized by ..cap alpha.. = 1.08 and indicate that rotation is important in accounting for observed electron temperature behavior.

• Research Organization: Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Technology
• DOE Contract Number: AS02-76ET53018
• OSTI ID: 6489508
• Report Number(s): DOE/ET/53018-5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700105* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Plasma Kinetics-Theoretical-- (-1987)
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
ELECTRIC HEATING
HEATING
JOULE HEATING
LINEAR PINCH DEVICES
LINEAR THETA PINCH DEVICES
MAGNETIC FLUX
MOTION
OPEN PLASMA DEVICES
PINCH DEVICES
PLASMA DENSITY
PLASMA HEATING
PLASMA PRESSURE
RESISTANCE HEATING
ROTATION
SIMULATION
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES