Numerical simulation of the equilibrium and transport of a centrifugally confined plasma

A centrifugally confined plasma utilizes centrifugal forces from supersonic plasma rotation to augment the conventional magnetic confinement of fusion plasmas. Appropriately used, plasma pressure can be contained along the magnetic field lines, allowing for 'open' configurations, introducing flexibility in design. The axisymmetric equilibrium of one such system, a single coil configuration, is investigated numerically. Plasma 'detachment' is shown at Mach numbers ranging from 3 to 4. It is also shown how flow shear heats the plasma by viscous dissipation. Profiles relaxed with respect to plasma transport are shown