Abstract
The marginal stability of a static plasma with finite-Larmor-radius (FLR) effects depends on a combination of the FLR effect and the ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) potential energy. For the tilt mode in a field-reversed configuration (FRC) previous computations of these two factors led to a prediction of stability for S*⩽(3−5)E where S* is the macroscale parameter (separatrix radius/ion skin depth) and E is the elongation (separatrix half length/separatrix radius). This prediction explained the observed stability of most experiments. However, recent computations of actual MHD eigenfunctions indicate that the MHD growth rate has a much weaker scaling with elongation than previously believed. As a consequence, most of the long-lived, stable FRC experiments lie in the region predicted to be unstable. It appears then that the stability of FRC experiments is not explained by FLR effects in a static equilibrium.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
