Effects of internal structure on equilibrium of field-reversed configuration plasma sustained by rotating magnetic field

The effects of an internal structure on the equilibrium of a field-reversed configuration (FRC) plasma sustained by rotating magnetic field is investigated by using detailed electrostatic probe measurements in the FRC Injection Experiment apparatus [S. Okada, et al. , Nucl. Fusion. 45, 1094 (2005)]....

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physics of plasmas 2008-09, Vol.15 (9), p.092508-092508-6
Main Authors: Yambe, Kiyoyuki, Inomoto, Michiaki, Okada, Shigefumi, Kobayashi, Yuka, Asai, Tomohiko
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTROSTATIC PROBES
EQUILIBRIUM
FIELD-REVERSED THETA PINCH DEVICES
PLASMA DENSITY
PLASMA PRESSURE
PRESSURE GRADIENTS
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The effects of an internal structure on the equilibrium of a field-reversed configuration (FRC) plasma sustained by rotating magnetic field is investigated by using detailed electrostatic probe measurements in the FRC Injection Experiment apparatus [S. Okada, et al. , Nucl. Fusion. 45, 1094 (2005)]. An internal structure installed axially on the geometrical axis, which simulates Ohmic transformer or external toroidal field coils on the FRC device, brings about substantial changes in plasma density profile. The internal structure generates steep density-gradients not only on the inner side but on the outer side of the torus. The radial electric field is observed to sustain the ion thermal pressure-gradient in the FRC without the internal structure; however, the radial electric field is not sufficient to sustain the increased ion thermal pressure-gradient in the FRC with the internal structure. Spontaneously driven azimuthal ion flow will be accountable for the imbalance of the radial pressure which is modified by the internal structure.
ISSN:1070-664X
1089-7674
DOI:10.1063/1.2982493