Electron currents in Field Reversed Mirror dynamics: Theory and hybrid simulation
Stark, Robert Armand
This item is only available for download by members of the University of Illinois community. Students, faculty, and staff at the U of I may log in with your NetID and password to view the item. If you are trying to access an Illinois-restricted dissertation or thesis, you can request a copy through your library's Inter-Library Loan office or purchase a copy directly from ProQuest.
Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/23907
Description
Title
Electron currents in Field Reversed Mirror dynamics: Theory and hybrid simulation
Author(s)
Stark, Robert Armand
Issue Date
1987
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Miley, George H.
Department of Study
Physics
Discipline
Physics
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
electron currents
field reversed mirror dynamics
hybrid simulation
analytical physics
computational physics
null magnetic field
Language
en
Abstract
"The role of electron currents in Field-Reversed Mirror (FRM) dynamics has
been studied through both analytic and computational means. In particular, the effects of electron currents near a magnetic field null (""0"" point) is closely examined. Since the electrons are not tied to field lines in this
region, they are able to partially cancel the ion current there in response to an inductive electric field and ion drag. Past workers, using a fluid description, have suggested that this cancellation may be virtually complete, making impossible the steady state operation of the FRM as well as its startup by neutral-beam injection. However, the fluid approximation is invalid near a field null. We have developed a detailed non-fluid model for the bulk dynamics of the electrons in this region. The region is treated as unmagnetized; electrons are accelerated by the inductive electric field and collisions with ions; damping is provided by viscosity due to adjacent ""fluid"" electrons and scattering on the ions. The resulting equation of motion when combined with Faraday's Law predicts that, due to viscosity, current cancellation is far from complete, although electron currents near the null may slow the attempt to reverse the field via neutral-beam injection by a factor of five of so. To model the dynamics of the FRM as a whole we have developed a l-D radial hybrid code which also incorporates the above electron null current model. This code, named FROST, models the plasma as azimuthally symmetric with no axial dependence. A multi-group method in energy and canonical angular momentum describes the large-orbit ions from the beam. Massless fluid
iv
equations describe electrons and low energy ions. Since a fluid treatment for electrons is invalid near a field null, the null region electron current model discussed above has been included for this region, a unique feature. Results of simulation of neutral beam start-up in a 2XIIB-like plasma is discussed. There FROST predicts that electron currents will retard, but not prevent reversal of the magnetic field at the plasma center. These results are optimistic when compared to actual reversal experiments in 2XIIB, because there finite axial length effects and micro-instabilities substantially deteriorated the ion confinement. Nevertheless, because of the importance of the electron current in a low field region in the FRM, FROST represents a valuable intermediate step toward a more complete description of FRM dynamics"
Use this login method if you
don't
have an
@illinois.edu
email address.
(Oops, I do have one)
IDEALS migrated to a new platform on June 23, 2022. If you created
your account prior to this date, you will have to reset your password
using the forgot-password link below.
