Observation of trapped particle modes in a tandem mirror

Abstract

An instability with azimuthal mode number m≥3 localized to an axisymmetric end cell of the Tara tandem mirror [Nucl. Fusion 22, 549 (1982)] has been observed, most prominently during strong ion cyclotron resonance heating in the end cell. The instability, which causes enhanced radial losses, becomes either more stable or flutelike when the connection (passing fraction) between the central cell and end cell is increased, depending on whether sufficient stabilization is provided in the central cell. The beta is sufficiently low to rule out the possibility of magnetohydrodynamic ballooning modes. Based on the plasma parameters, the instability appears to be a collisionless curvature-driven trapped particle mode that has been predicted to be unstable in linked minimum- and maximum-B mirror devices.