Mechanical injection of magnetic helicity during spheromak formation

Journal Article · Mon Mar 19 04:00:00 EST 1990 · Physical Review Letters; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.64.1369· OSTI ID:6825215

Barrow, B; Goldenbaum, G C ^[1]

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1. Laboratory for Plasma Research, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742 (USA)

Experimental evidence is reported for the presence of oppositely rotating plasma cells during spheromak formation. The toroidal rotations are caused by {bold j}{times}{bold B} forces and cause a twisting of axial (i.e., poloidal) magnetic field into the toroidal direction. Calculations of the magnetic helicity input are consistent with measured helicity values. This method of flux conversion can be interpreted as a mechanical source of magnetic helicity injection possibly useful for magnetic confinement of plasmas.

• OSTI ID: 6825215
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters; (USA), Journal Name: Physical Review Letters; (USA) Vol. 64:12; ISSN PRLTA; ISSN 0031-9007
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700101* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Confinement
Heating
& Production
ANNULAR SPACE
CLOSED CONFIGURATIONS
CLOSED PLASMA DEVICES
CONFIGURATION
CONFINEMENT
CONVERSION
HELICITY
MAGNETIC CONFINEMENT
MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS
MAGNETIC FLUX
MECHANICS
PARTICLE PROPERTIES
PLASMA
PLASMA CONFINEMENT
ROTATING PLASMA
SPACE
SPHEROMAK DEVICES
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
TOKAMAK DEVICES
TOROIDAL CONFIGURATION