In the reversed field experiment (RFX) [F. Gnesotto et al., Fusion Eng. Des. 25, 335 (1995)], the and tearing modes present in the plasma are observed to phase-lock together to form a highly peaked, strongly toroidally localized, pattern in the perturbed magnetic field. This pattern, which is commonly known as the “slinky” pattern, gives rise to severe edge loading problems which limit the maximum achievable toroidal current. A theory is presented which explains virtually all salient features of the RFX slinky pattern. The central premise of this theory is that at high ambient mode amplitude the various tearing modes occurring in the plasma phase-lock together in a configuration which minimizes the magnitudes of the electromagnetic torques exerted at the various mode rational surfaces. The theory successfully predicts the profiles of the edge radial and toroidal magnetic fields generated by the and modes, the phase relations between the various modes, the presence of a small toroidal offset between the peaks of the and contributions to the overall slinky pattern, and the response of the pattern to externally generated and magnetic perturbations.
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June 2002
Research Article|
June 01 2002
Phase-locking of tearing modes in the reversed field experiment
Richard Fitzpatrick;
Richard Fitzpatrick
Institute for Fusion Studies, Department of Physics, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712
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Paolo Zanca
Paolo Zanca
Conzorzio RFX, Corso Stati Uniti 4, 35127 Padova, Italy
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Phys. Plasmas 9, 2707–2724 (2002)
Article history
Received:
October 22 2001
Accepted:
April 02 2002
Citation
Richard Fitzpatrick, Paolo Zanca; Phase-locking of tearing modes in the reversed field experiment. Phys. Plasmas 1 June 2002; 9 (6): 2707–2724. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1481057
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