Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Steady-state operation of spheromaks by inductive techniques

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6959201· OSTI ID:6959201
A method to maintain a steady-state spheromak configuration inductively using the S-1 Spheromak device is described. The S-1 Spheromak formation apparatus can be utilized to inject magnetic helicity continuously (C.W., not pulsed or D.C.) into the spheromak configuration after equilibrium is achieved in the linked mode of operation. Oscillation of both poloidal- and toroidal-field currents in the flux core (psi-phi Pumping), with proper phasing, injects a net time-averaged helicity into the plasma. Steady-state maintenance relies on flux conversion, which has been earlier identified. Relevant experimental data from the operation of S-1 are described. Helicity flow has been measured and the proposed injection scheme simulated. In a reasonable time practical voltages and frequencies can inject an amount of helicity comparable to that in the initial plasma. Plasma currents can be maintained or increased. This pumping technique is similar to F-THETA Pumping of a Reversed-Field-Pinch but is applied to this inverse-pinch formation.
Research Organization:
Princeton Univ., NJ (USA). Plasma Physics Lab.
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-76CH03073
OSTI ID:
6959201
Report Number(s):
PPPL-2095; ON: DE84011200
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Similar Records

Inductive sustainment of spheromaks
Journal Article · Tue Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1985 · Fusion Technol.; (United States) · OSTI ID:5977452

Steady-state inductive spheromak operation
Patent · Tue Aug 18 00:00:00 EDT 1987 · OSTI ID:6080725

Steady-state inductive spheromak operation
Patent · Tue Feb 19 23:00:00 EST 1985 · OSTI ID:5181539