The Search for Reconnection and Helicity During Formation of a Bounded Spheromak

Journal Article · Mon Apr 30 04:00:00 EDT 2007 · Journal of Fusion Energy

OSTI ID:940866

Romero-Talamas, C A; McLean, H S; Hooper, E B; Wood, R D; LoDestro, L L; Moller, J M

Recent results from investigations using insertable magnetic probes at the Sustained Spheromak Physics Experiment (SSPX) [E. B. Hooper et al., Nucl. Fusion 39, 863 (1999)] are presented. Experiments were carried out during pre-programmed, constant amplitude coaxial gun current pulses, where magnetic field increases stepwise with every pulse, but eventually saturates. Magnetic traces from the probe, which is electrically isolated from the plasma and spans the flux conserver radius, indicate there is a time lag at every pulse between the response to the current rise in the open flux surfaces (intercepting the electrodes) and the closed flux surfaces (linked around the open ones). This is interpreted as the time to buildup enough helicity in the open flux surfaces before reconnecting and merging with the closed ones. Future experimental and diagnostic plans to directly estimate the helicity in the open flux surfaces and measure reconnection are briefly discussed.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 940866
• Report Number(s): UCRL-JRNL-230532
• Journal Information: Journal of Fusion Energy, Journal Name: Journal of Fusion Energy Journal Issue: 1/2 Vol. 27; ISSN JFENDS; ISSN 0164-0313
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
AMPLITUDES
BUILDUP
ELECTRODES
HELICITY
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC PROBES
MAGNETIC SURFACES
PHYSICS
PLASMA