Title: Computation of resistive instabilities by matched asymptotic expansions

Abstract

Here, we present a method for determining the linear resistive magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) stability of an axisymmetric toroidal plasma, based on the method of matched asymptotic expansions. The plasma is partitioned into a set of ideal MHD outer regions, connected through resistive MHD inner regions about singular layers where q = m/n, with m and n toroidal mode numbers, respectively, and q the safety factor. The outer regions satisfy the ideal MHD equations with zero-frequency, which are identical to the Euler-Lagrange equations for minimizing the potential energy delta W. The solutions to these equations go to infinity at the singular surfaces. The inner regions satisfy the equations of motion of resistive MHD with a finite eigenvalue, resolving the singularity. Both outer and inner regions are solved numerically by newly developed singular Galerkin methods, using specialized basis functions. These solutions are matched asymptotically, providing a complex dispersion relation which is solved for global eigenvalues and eigenfunctions in full toroidal geometry. The dispersion relation may have multiple complex unstable roots, which are found by advanced root-finding methods. These methods are much faster and more robust than the previous numerical methods. The new methods are applicable to more challenging high-pressure and strongly shaped plasmamore » equilibria and generalizable to more realistic inner region dynamics. In the thermonuclear regime, where the outer and inner regions overlap, they are also much faster and more accurate than the straight-through methods, which treat the resistive MHD equations in the whole plasma volume.« less

Authors:

Glasser, A. H.  ^[1];

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• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0003-1784-9396"

Wang, Z. R. ^[2]; Park, J. -K. ^[2]

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+ Show Author Affiliations

1. Fusion Theory and Computation, Inc., Kingston, WA (United States)
2. Princeton Plasma Physics Lab. (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States)

Publication Date:

Thu Nov 17 00:00:00 EST 2016

Research Org.:

Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States); Fusion Theory and Computation, Inc., Kingston, WA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE Office of Science (SC), Fusion Energy Sciences (FES)

OSTI Identifier:

1340151

Alternate Identifier(s):

OSTI ID: 1332585; OSTI ID: 1418992

Report Number(s):

PPPL-5292
Journal ID: ISSN 1070-664X; TRN: US1701243

Grant/Contract Number:  

AC02-09CH11466; FG02-05ER54811; SC0016106

Resource Type:

Accepted Manuscript

Journal Name:

Physics of Plasmas

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Volume: 23; Journal Issue: 11; Journal ID: ISSN 1070-664X

Publisher:

American Institute of Physics (AIP)

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY; 01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT; resistive MHD instabilities