Controlled and Spontaneous Magnetic Field Generation in a Gun-Driven Spheromak
In the Sustained Spheromak Physics Experiment, SSPX, progress has been made in understanding the mechanisms that generate fields by helicity injection. SSPX injects helicity (linked magnetic flux) from 1-m diameter magnetized coaxial electrodes into a flux-conserving confinement region. Control of magnetic fluctuations ({delta}B/B{approx}1% on the midplane edge) yields T{sub e} profiles peaked at > 200eV. Trends indicate a limiting beta ({beta}{sub e} {approx} 4-6%), and so we have been motivated to increase T{sub e} by operating with stronger magnetic field. Two new operating modes are observed to increase the magnetic field: (A) Operation with constant current and spontaneous gun voltage fluctuations. In this case, the gun is operated continuously at the threshold for ejection of plasma from the gun: stored magnetic energy of the spheromak increases gradually with {delta}B/B {approx}2% and large voltage fluctuations ({delta}V {approx} 1kV), giving a 50% increase in current amplification, I{sub tor}/I{sub gun}. (B) Operation with controlled current pulses. In this case, spheromak magnetic energy increases in a stepwise fashion by pulsing the gun, giving the highest magnetic fields observed for SSPX ({approx}0.7T along the geometric axis). By increasing the time between pulses, a quasi-steady sustainment is produced (with periodic good confinement), comparing well with resistive MHD simulations. In each case, the processes that transport the helicity into the spheromak are inductive and exhibit a scaling of field with current that exceeds those previously obtained. We use our newly found scaling to suggest how to achieve higher temperatures with a series of pulses.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Energy (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 15016404
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-JRNL-207051; PHPAEN; TRN: US0502385
- Journal Information:
- Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 12; Other Information: Published in April 15, 2005; PBD: 1 Oct 2004; ISSN 1070-664X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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