ISSN:
1089-7674
Source:
AIP Digital Archive
Topics:
Physics
Notes:
A magnetohydrodynamic relaxation process of spheromak merging is studied by means of an axisymmetric numerical simulation. As a result of counter-helicity merging, a field-reversed configuration is obtained in the final state, while a larger spheromak is formed after co-helicity merging. In the counter-helicity case, a clear pressure profile of which iso-surfaces coincide with flux surfaces is generated by thermal transport of a poloidal flow induced by driven reconnection. It is also found that a sharp pressure gradient formed in the vicinity of a reconnection point causes a bouncing motion of spheromaks. According to the bounce motion, the reconnection rate changes repeatedly. As shown by the Tokyo University Spherical Torus No. 3 (TS-3) experiments [M. Yamada, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 65, 721 (1990)], furthermore, strong acceleration of a toroidal flow and reversal of a toroidal field in the counter-helicity merging were observed. © 1997 American Institute of Physics.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.872305
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