Initial stage of the discharge in a tokamak

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1978 · Sov. J. Plasma Phys. (Engl. Transl.); (United States)

OSTI ID:6710534

Mirnov, S V; Semenov, I B

The initial stage of the discharge in the T-3 and T-4 tokamaks is analyzed. Previous arguments regarding the growth of MHD waves in the quasisteady stage of the discharge can be extended to the initial stage. Depending on the plasma density, there are two possible mechanisms for the contraction of the current channel. For discharges at low and intermediate densities (in the T-4, with H/sub z/=26 kOe, Z-bar/sub eff/approx.6 and uapprox.6 V), n/sub e/< or =3.5x10/sup 13/ cm/sup -3/, the main reason for this contraction is the increase in the transport coefficients due to the growth of MHD perturbations of higher-order modes at the plasma boundary. At high densities, n/sub e/>3.5x10/sup 13/ cm/sup -3/, the main reason for the contraction is the ionizational and radiative cooling of the plasma periphery due to the limited ohmic-heating power and the subsequent growth of lower-order MHD modes. This latter circumstance also restricts the maximum plasma density which can be achieved.

• Research Organization: I. V. Kurchatov Institute of Atomic Energy, Moscow
• OSTI ID: 6710534
• Journal Information: Sov. J. Plasma Phys. (Engl. Transl.); (United States), Journal Name: Sov. J. Plasma Phys. (Engl. Transl.); (United States) Vol. 4:1; ISSN SJPPD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700101* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Confinement
Heating
&amp; Production
700108 -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Wave Phenomena
BREAKDOWN
CLOSED PLASMA DEVICES
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
HYDROMAGNETIC WAVES
IMPURITIES
INSTABILITY
IONIZATION
KINK INSTABILITY
PLASMA DENSITY
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MACROINSTABILITIES
SKIN EFFECT
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
TOKAMAK DEVICES