Rotational Instabilities in the Field-Reversed Theta Pinch: Results of Hybrid Simulations,
Abstract
Rotational instabilities in rigidly rotating field-reserved theta pinch equilibria are studied using a quasineutral hybrid simulation code. We observe unstable m=2 modes at levels of ion rotation below instability thresholds predicted by finite Larmor radius fluid theory. Nonlinear effects are found to reduce the growth rate and lower the real frequency of the m=2 mode at large amplitude. Instabilities with m>2 have been observed for some strongly reversed cases. It is also found that growth rates for these instabilities can be greatly reduced by increasing the ratio of the plasma radius to the ion Larmor radius. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 14, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA107651
Entities
People
- Douglas S. Harned
Organizations
- University of California, Berkeley