Plasma heating in field-reversed theta pinches

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Phys. Fluids; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.864015· OSTI ID:6519642

Steinhauer, L C

A method is devised to simulate plasma formation and heating in a field-reversed theta pinch which accounts for implosion kinetics, resistive dissipation, and compression (both radial and axial). Although containing several simplifying features, e.g., assumed radial profiles, distinct steps in the formation process, and a single adjustable parameter, the model nevertheless conserves energy and momentum in a global sense. Dissipation of reversed flux is governed by imposing an empirical ''relaxation condition'' on the drift parameter. Despite the simplicity of the method, predicted temperatures and radii agree well with experiments in most cases. The most important trend observed is the significant increase in temperature at higher reverse bias field. This arises from resistive dissipation and axial compression. In most cases, the predicted temperature exceeds (sometimes significantly) the temperature derived for a simple bounce and compression.

• Research Organization: Mathematical Sciences Northwest, Inc., Bellevue, Washington 98004-1495
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-80ER53098
• OSTI ID: 6519642
• Journal Information: Phys. Fluids; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Fluids; (United States) Vol. 26:1; ISSN PFLDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700101* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Confinement
Heating
& Production
COMPRESSION
ENERGY LOSSES
HEATING
IMPLOSIONS
LOSSES
MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS
MAGNETIC FIELD REVERSAL
PINCH EFFECT
PLASMA HEATING
PLASMA PRODUCTION
SIMULATION
THETA PINCH