Published 1976 | Version v1
Report

Experimental and theoretical studies of belt pinches and high-beta Tokamaks

  • 1. Columbia Univ., New York (USA). Plasma Physics Lab.
  • 2. Maryland Univ., College Park (USA). Dept. of Physics and Astronomy
  • 3. New York Univ., N.Y. (USA). Courant Inst. of Mathematical Sciences

Description

Several experimental and theoretical studies of belt pinches and high-beta tokamaks are summarized. The Columbia Torus I, operating as a pure belt pinch, has T approximately 10 eV, n approximately 1 x 1016, B sub(phi) approximately 12 kG, β approximately 0.4 and a lifetime of 24 μ sec, at which time the plasma drifts to the inner wall. The Maryland Terp experiment has T approximately 10eV, n approximately 1014, Bsub(phi) approximately 1.5 kG, β approximately 0.1 and a lifetime of 35 μ sec, at which time the plasma drifts to the outer wall. Numerical calculations supporting these experiments include equilibrium, stability, heating and initial implosion dynamics. A general MHD stability analysis of diffuse belt pinch configurations is reported. Results indicate that favorable stability properties can be obtained by shaping the current density profile and plasma geometry. (orig.)

Abstract (German)

Mehrere experimentelle und theoretische Untersuchungen an Belt-Pinchen und Hoch-Beta-Tokamaks werden zusammengefasst. Torus I in Columbia wird als reiner Belt-Pinch betrieben und hat T ca. 10 eV, n ca. 1 x 1016, Bphi ca. 12 kG, β ca. 0,4. Die Lebensdauer betraegt 24 μs, innerhalb dieser Zeit driftet das Plasma an die innere Wand. Das Terp-Experiment in Maryland hat T ca. 10 eV, n ca. 1014, Bphi ca. 1,5 kG, β ca. 0,1 und eine Lebensdauer von 35 μs; nach dieser Zeit driftet das Plasma an die aeussere Wand. Numerische Rechnungen zur Unterstuetzung dieser Experimente beinhalten Gleichgewicht, Stabilitaet, Heizung und anfaengliche Implosionsdynamik. Eine allgemeine MHD-Stabilitaetsanalyse fuer diffuse Belt-Pinch-Anordnungen wird vorgestellt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass guenstige Stabilitaetseigenschaften durch Formung der Stromdichteprofile und der Plasmageometrie zu erreichen sind. (orig.)

Additional details

Publishing Information

Imprint Pagination
8 p.
Report number
AED-Conf--76-506-004

Conference

Title
6. international conference on plasma physics and controlled nuclear fusion research.
Dates
6 Oct 1976.
Place
Berchtesgaden, Germany, F.R.

Optional Information

Notes
6 figs.; 11 refs. Available from the IAEA.
Secondary number(s)
IAEA-CN--35/E8.