Abstract
Vlasov equilibria of a periodic array of axisymmetric double cusp plasmas are studied numerically for various values of β (ratio of the maximum plasma pressure to the maximum magnetic pressure at midplane of the double cusp vessel). Effects of finite Larmor radius, ambipolar potential and presence of cold plasma component are taken into account. It is shown that the plasma volume expands as β increases, forming a clear transition layer between plasma and vacuum with thickness of the order of the local ion Larmor radius in the high-β case. The stored energy in a single vessle increases rapidly with β. A strong ambipolar potential is formed either in the line cusp region or in the point cusp region, depending on the boundary conditions, and plasma expands radially in the central region. Cold electrons are gathered in the central region by the ambipolar potential, but the hot plasma component is little affected by the potential.
Published Version
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