Inductive sustainment of oblate field-reversed configurations with the assistance of magnetic diffusion, shaping, and finite-Larmor radius stabilization

Journal Article · Fri Feb 15 00:00:00 EST 2008 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2837512· OSTI ID:21103817

Gerhardt, S P; Belova, E V; Yamada, M; Ji, H; Jacobson, C M; McGeehan, B; Ren, Y ^[1]; Inomoto, M ^[2]; Maqueda, R ^[3]

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1. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, New Jersey 08543 (United States)
2. Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871 (Japan)
3. Nova Photonics, Princeton, New Jersey 08540 (United States)

Oblate field-reversed configurations (FRCs) have been sustained for >300 {mu}s, or >15 magnetic diffusion times, through the use of an inductive solenoid. These argon FRCs can have their poloidal flux sustained or increased, depending on the timing and strength of the induction. An inward pinch is observed during sustainment, leading to a peaking of the pressure profile and maintenance of the FRC equilibrium. The good stability observed in argon (and krypton) does not transfer to lighter gases, which develop terminal co-interchange instabilities. The stability in argon and krypton is attributed to a combination of external field shaping, magnetic diffusion, and finite-Larmor radius effects.

• OSTI ID: 21103817
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 15, Issue 2; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.2837512; (c) 2008 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ARGON
DIFFUSION
EQUILIBRIUM
FEDERAL RADIATION COUNCIL
FIELD-REVERSED THETA PINCH DEVICES
FLUTE INSTABILITY
INDUCTION
KRYPTON
LARMOR RADIUS
REVERSE-FIELD PINCH
REVERSED-FIELD PINCH DEVICES
SOLENOIDS
STABILITY
STABILIZATION