On the nature of visco-resistive MHD steady states

L.P.J. Kamp, D.C. Montgomery

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Abstract

Static ideal MHD equilibria continue to provide the conceptual framework and vocabulary by which toroidal steady-state plasmas are described, despite the growing recognition that virtually all toroidal plasmas involve non-trivial flows. A more promising mathematical approach to realizable states would appear to be through the inclusion of finite transport coefficients (viscosity as well as resistivity) and non-ideal boundary conditions,where it has been known for some time that flows are a necessary consequence of the demands of axisymmetry and time independence. Heretofore [1,2], we have been able to describe toroidal resistive steady states in perturbation theory, expanding the solutions in powers of the Reynolds number or, more accurately, the Hartmann number. Using new numerical techniques that have become available, we are now able to lift this limitation and calculate voltage-driven toroidal steady states through a range of Hartmann numbers that runs from >1. The flow pattern ranges, as the Hartmann number is raised, from a previously identified pair of counter-rotating toroidal vortices (poloidal convection cells) to a pattern in which the flow is primarily in the toroidal direction. None of the flows identified is a simple rotation, poloidal or toroidal, sheared or otherwise. Detailed "weather maps" can now be drawn.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPlasma physics ; 11th international congress : ICPP2002
Place of PublicationNew York
PublisherAmerican Institute of Physics
Pages581-585
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2003
Event11th International Congress on Plasma Physics (ICPP 2002) - Sydney, Australia
Duration: 15 Jul 200219 Jul 2002
Conference number: 11

Publication series

NameAIP Conference Proceedings
Volume669
ISSN (Print)0094-243X

Conference

Conference11th International Congress on Plasma Physics (ICPP 2002)
Abbreviated titleICPP 2002
Country/TerritoryAustralia
CitySydney
Period15/07/0219/07/02

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