Spheromak Formation and Sustainment Studies at the Sustained Spheromak Physics Experiment Using High-Speed Imaging and Magnetic Diagnostics Metadata

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Title

  • Main Title Spheromak Formation and Sustainment Studies at the Sustained Spheromak Physics Experiment Using High-Speed Imaging and Magnetic Diagnostics

Creator

  • Author: Romero-Talamas, C. A.
    Creator Type: Personal
  • Author: Holcomb, C.
    Creator Type: Personal
  • Author: Bellan, P. M.
    Creator Type: Personal
  • Author: Hill, D. N.
    Creator Type: Personal

Contributor

  • Sponsor: United States. Department of Energy.
    Contributor Type: Organization

Publisher

  • Name: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
    Place of Publication: Livermore, California
    Additional Info: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA

Date

  • Creation: 2005-11-09

Language

  • English

Description

  • Content Description: A high-speed imaging system with shutter speeds as fast as 2 ns and double frame capability has been used to directly image the formation and evolution of the Sustained Spheromak Physics Experiment (SSPX). Reproducible plasma features have been identified with this diagnostic and divided in three groups, according to the stage in the discharge at which they occur: (1) breakdown and ejection, (2) sustainment, and (3) decay. During the first stage, plasma descends into the flux conserver shortly after breakdown and a transient plasma column is formed. The column then rapidly bends and simultaneously becomes too dim to photograph a few microseconds after formation. We conjecture that this rapid bending precedes the transfer of toroidal to poloidal flux. During sustainment, a stable plasma column different from the transient one is observed. It has been possible to measure the column diameter and compare it to CORSICA, an MHD equilibrium reconstruction code which showed good agreement with the measurements. Elongation and velocity measurements were made of cathode patterns also seen during this stage, possibly caused by pressure gradients or E x B drifts. The patterns elongate in a toroidal-only direction which depends on the magnetic field polarity. During the decay stage the column diameter expands as the current ramps down, until it eventually dissolves into filaments. With the use of magnetic probes inserted in the gun region, a X-point which moved axially depending on current level and toroidal mode number, was observed in all the stages of the SSPX plasma discharge.
  • Physical Description: PDF-file: 26 pages; size: 0 Kbytes

Subject

  • Keyword: Mhd Equilibrium
  • Keyword: Breakdown
  • Keyword: Cathodes
  • Keyword: Magnetic Fields
  • STI Subject Categories: 70 Plasma Physics And Fusion Technology
  • Keyword: Pressure Gradients
  • STI Subject Categories: 30 Direct Energy Conversion
  • Keyword: Elongation
  • Keyword: Bending
  • Keyword: Physics
  • Keyword: Transients
  • Keyword: Images
  • Keyword: Velocity
  • Keyword: Decay
  • Keyword: Shutters
  • Keyword: Magnetic Probes

Source

  • Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas; Journal Volume: 13

Collection

  • Name: Office of Scientific & Technical Information Technical Reports
    Code: OSTI

Institution

  • Name: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
    Code: UNTGD

Resource Type

  • Article

Format

  • Text

Identifier

  • Report No.: UCRL-JRNL-216962
  • Grant Number: W-7405-ENG-48
  • Office of Scientific & Technical Information Report Number: 887286
  • Archival Resource Key: ark:/67531/metadc885672
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