Magnetic island formation in three-dimensional plasma equilibria

Journal Article · Wed Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1989 · Phys Fluids B; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.859152· OSTI ID:6823492

Hegna, C C; Bhattacharjee, A

The formation of magnetic islands as a result of plasma pressure in three-dimensional equilibria is investigated by a boundary-layer analysis. Away from a rational surface (''exterior region''), the plasma current is calculated exactly from the equilibrium equations. The singularity in the current thus calculated is resolved by analysis of the equilibrium equations in the vicinity of the rational surface (''inner region''). The ..delta..' parameter of tearing mode theory is used to match the inner and outer regions. The island width is found to depend on the resistive interchange criterion, as seen in the work of Glasser, Greene, and Johnson (Phys. Fluids 18, 875 (1975)). Estimates of island sizes for different stellarator experiments are given.

• Research Organization: Department of Applied Physics, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027
• OSTI ID: 6823492
• Journal Information: Phys Fluids B; (United States), Vol. 1:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
PLASMA
EQUILIBRIUM
MAGNETIC ISLANDS
PLASMA PRESSURE
BOUNDARY LAYERS
SINGULARITY
STELLARATORS
TEARING INSTABILITY
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
CLOSED PLASMA DEVICES
INSTABILITY
LAYERS
MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MACROINSTABILITIES
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
700101* - Fusion Energy- Plasma Research- Confinement
Heating
& Production