Asymmetric magnetic flux generation, m=1 activity, and edge phenomena on a reversed-field pinch.

The ZT-40M [Fusion Tech. 8, 1571 (1985)] reversed-field pinch has been used to study magnetic flux perturbations during high-θ [θ=Bθ(a)/<B[lowercase_phi_synonym]>>1.6] discharges. Asymmetric toroidal magnetic flux perturbations are found to be associated with magnetic flux emerging through the toroidal shell gap and with m=0 magnetic disturbances moving toroidally. Ramping current discharges, which are a special case of high-θ operation, show the most robust self-generation of toroidal flux. The electron density fluctuations on the inside major radius and associated m=1 and m=0 fluctuations seen on edge magnetic field probes provide a clearer picture of activity during a soft x-ray sawtooth crash. During the sawtooth crash, significant magnetic energy is apparently converted into kinetic energy of the particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]