Back to Search Start Over

Numerical investigation of three-dimensional single-species plasma equilibria on magnetic surfaces.

Authors :
Lefrancois, Remi G.
Pedersen, Thomas Sunn
Boozer, Allen H.
Kremer, Jason P.
Source :
Physics of Plasmas. Jul2005, Vol. 12 Issue 7, p072105. 8p.
Publication Year :
2005

Abstract

Presented for the first time are numerical solutions to the three-dimensional nonlinear equilibrium equation for single-species plasmas confined on magnetic surfaces and surrounded by an equipotential boundary. The major-radial shift of such plasmas is found to be outward, qualitatively similar to the Shafranov shift of quasineutral plasmas confined on magnetic surfaces. However, this is the opposite of what occurs in the pure toroidal field equilibria of non-neutral plasmas (i.e., in the absence of magnetic surfaces). The effect of varying the number of Debye lengths in the plasma for the three-dimensional (3D) model is in agreement with previous 2D calculations: the potential varies significantly on magnetic surfaces for plasmas with few Debye lengths (a≲λd), and tends to be constant on surfaces when many Debye lengths are present (a>=10λd). For the case of a conducting boundary that does not conform to the outer magnetic surface, the plasma is shifted towards the conductor and the potential varies significantly on magnetic surfaces near the plasma edge. Debye shielding effects are clearly demonstrated when a nonuniform bias is applied to the boundary. Computed equilibrium profiles are presented for the Columbia Non-Neutral Torus [T. S. Pedersen, A. H. Boozer, J. P. Kermer, R. Lefrancois, F. Dahlgren, N. Pomphrey, W. Reiersen, and W. Dorland, Fusion Sci. Technol. 46, 200 (2004)], a stellarator designed to confine non-neutral plasmas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1070664X
Volume :
12
Issue :
7
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Physics of Plasmas
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
18133337
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1928248