Nonlinear evolution of the resistive interchange mode in the cylindrical spheromak

Journal Article · Sun Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · Phys. Fluids; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.864788· OSTI ID:6712897

DeLucia, J; Jardin, S C

Results are presented of a study of various aspects of the single helicity nonlinear development of the resistive interchange mode in the cylindrical spheromak. A formulation of the helically symmetric resistive magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations that partially separates the ideal MHD characteristics is developed. Mode saturation can occur because of the quasilinear flattening of the pressure profile in the vicinity of the mode rational surface. However, this saturation process is defeated when the plasma overheats and in regions of the plasma where the shear is low. Finite fluid compression has significant, and optimistic, consequences on the long-term nonlinear behavior of this mode. For a tearing mode stable cylindrical spheromak equilibrium configuration with an axial beta value of 6%, complete overlap of the m = 1 islands occurs in about 3% of the resistive skin time for a magnetic Reynolds number of S = 10/sup 5/. For typical parameters of the S-1 device at Princeton, this time corresponds to nearly one millisecond.

• Research Organization: Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH03073
• OSTI ID: 6712897
• Journal Information: Phys. Fluids; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Fluids; (United States) Vol. 27:7; ISSN PFLDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700107 -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Instabilities
700108* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Wave Phenomena
CLOSED PLASMA DEVICES
CONFIGURATION
CYLINDRICAL CONFIGURATION
FLUID MECHANICS
HELICITY
HYDRODYNAMICS
INSTABILITY
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MECHANICS
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
PARTICLE PROPERTIES
PLASMA
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA PRESSURE
SATURATION
SPHEROMAK DEVICES
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
TOKAMAK DEVICES