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Observed mechanism of termination in the ZT-40M reversed-field pinch

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6629430
The termination process in the ZT-40M reversed-field pinch has been studied using multichord interferometry supplemented by other diagnostics. The abrupt fall of the toroidal current is observed to occur when the ratio toroidal current/line density lies in the range 1 x 10/sup -13/ less than or equal to I/sub phi//N less than or equal to 2 x 10/sup -13/ A-m. This is consistent with the attainment of a drift threshold, in which the electron drift speed (along the magnetic field) aproaches the electron thermal speed. The edge region of the discharge experiences a termination precursor disturbance which appears to result from the local attainment of this drift threshold. The termination precursor is phase-locked to an m = 0 plasma density oscillation which arises earlier during the discharge but obtains large amplitudes only during the pretermination phase.
Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-36
OSTI ID:
6629430
Report Number(s):
LA-9589-MS; ON: DE83003989
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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