Physics – Plasma Physics
Scientific paper
2003-04-28
Phys. Rev. Lett. 90, 215002 (2003)
Physics
Plasma Physics
accepted for publication in Physical Review Letters
Scientific paper
10.1103/PhysRevLett.90.215002
The magnetohydrodynamic kink instability is observed and identified experimentally as a poloidal flux amplification mechanism for coaxial gun spheromak formation. Plasmas in this experiment fall into three distinct regimes which depend on the peak gun current to magnetic flux ratio, with (I) low values resulting in a straight plasma column with helical magnetic field, (II) intermediate values leading to kinking of the column axis, and (III) high values leading immediately to a detached plasma. Onset of column kinking agrees quantitatively with the Kruskal-Shafranov limit, and the kink acts as a dynamo which converts toroidal to poloidal flux. Regime II clearly leads to both poloidal flux amplification and the development of a spheromak configuration.
Bellan Paul M.
Hsu Scott C.
No associations
LandOfFree
Experimental Identification of the Kink Instability as a Poloidal Flux Amplification Mechanism for Coaxial Gun Spheromak Formation does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Experimental Identification of the Kink Instability as a Poloidal Flux Amplification Mechanism for Coaxial Gun Spheromak Formation, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Experimental Identification of the Kink Instability as a Poloidal Flux Amplification Mechanism for Coaxial Gun Spheromak Formation will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-45307