Spectra and growth rates of a generalized screw pinch

Abstract

The theory of Weitzner for the bumpy θ pinch is extended to the case of a generalized screw pinch in which the equilibrium magnetic field is B = (εBr, εBθ, Bz). ε represents the slow periodic z variation of the axisymmetric equilibrium and the stability relative to their r variation. Perturbation expansions in ε and in the bumpiness of the flux surfaces are performed on the linearized equations of ideal magnetohydrodynamics. From the theory of Grad there should be four stable continua, two of which are found for modes with ω2 = O (ε2), while for the transverse modes a generalized Suydam criterion for local instability is derived. The (global) growth rates of the most unstable transverse modes are computed numerically for various Bθ and the results are compared to those of the bumpy θ pinch (where Bθ ≡ 0)) as well as to the ordinary screw pinch (where Br ≡ 0).