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Title: Nonlinear evolution of the internal kink mode in toroidal geometry for shaped tokamak plasmas

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5611622· OSTI ID:5611622

The nonlinear evolution of the internal kink mode is studied in toroidal geometry for noncircular cross section tokamak plasmas. The study is focused on very low shear and hollow q profiles with q(rho) greater than or equal to 1 for which the internal kink is unstable, in the latter case even at ..beta.. - 0. The nonlinear evolution is dominated by ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), and the instability saturates, giving a quasi-helical shift to the magnetic axis. The nonlinear saturation is caused by increased field line bending. Time scales of 10/sup 3/ tau/sub Hp/ and axis shifts of 20% are reached when changes in q on the order of 3 x 10/sup -3/ from the marginal profile are produced. 25 refs., 27 figs.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84OR21400
OSTI ID:
5611622
Report Number(s):
ORNL/TM-10585; ON: DE88003655
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English