Experimental studies of linear high-beta heliac plasma configurations

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1990 · Physics of Fluids B; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.859525· OSTI ID:7102112

Greenfield, C M; Koepke, M E; Ribe, F L ^[1]

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1. University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195 (US)

The formation and quasi-equilibrium of a high-beta heliac plasma are investigated in the High-Beta Q Machine (Phys. Fluids {bold 30}, 2885 (1987)), a linear high-beta {ital l}=1 stellarator with an internal current carrying conductor (hardcore). The hardcore current rise time is varied from 9 {mu}sec to smaller values comparable with that of the main compression field (450 nsec). Flux contours and plasma pressure calculated from internal magnetic-probe measurements are used to distinguish between nearly axisymmetric plasma confined near the hardcore and the heliac plasma confined near the magnetic axis. For the shorter hardcore rise times, the axisymmetric plasma pressure becomes small compared to that of the heliac. Further analysis of the data allows calculation of the currents flowing in the plasma, the rotational transform, and the magnetic well depth. Appreciable axial current is observed, consistent with induction by the changing magnetic fields during the heliac formation. The observed relationship between the axial current and rotational transform is confirmed by computer modeling using the HASE magnetohydrodynamic equilibrium code (Nucl. Fusion {bold 23}, 1061 (1983)).

• OSTI ID: 7102112
• Journal Information: Physics of Fluids B; (USA), Journal Name: Physics of Fluids B; (USA) Vol. 2:1; ISSN 0899-8221; ISSN PFBPE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700101* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Confinement
Heating
& Production
CLOSED PLASMA DEVICES
COMPUTERS
CONFINEMENT
CURRENTS
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
EQUILIBRIUM
FLUID MECHANICS
HELIAC STELLARATORS
HIGH-BETA PLASMA
HYDRODYNAMICS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MECHANICS
PLASMA
PLASMA CONFINEMENT
PLASMA PRESSURE
PLASMA SIMULATION
SIMULATION
STABILITY
STELLARATORS
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES