• Featured in Physics
  • Editors' Suggestion

Observation of a Helical Self-Organized State in a Compact Toroidal Plasma

C. D. Cothran, M. R. Brown, T. Gray, M. J. Schaffer, and G. Marklin
Phys. Rev. Lett. 103, 215002 – Published 16 November 2009
Physics logo See Synopsis: A skein of plasma

Abstract

A nonaxisymmetric stable magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equilibrium within a prolate cylindrical conducting boundary has been produced experimentally. It has m=1 azimuthal symmetry, helical distortion, and flat λ profile, all in agreement with the computed magnetically relaxed minimum magnetic energy Taylor state. Despite varied initial conditions determined by two helicity injectors on the device, this same equilibrium consistently emerges as the final state. These results therefore describe a new example of self-organization in an MHD plasma.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 18 September 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.103.215002

©2009 American Physical Society

Synopsis

Key Image

A skein of plasma

Published 16 November 2009

The magnetic field generated by a plasma can lack cylindrical symmetry even when the initial plasma state is perfectly symmetrical.

See more in Physics

Authors & Affiliations

C. D. Cothran1,*, M. R. Brown1, T. Gray1, M. J. Schaffer2, and G. Marklin3

  • 1Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania 19081, USA
  • 2General Atomics, San Diego, California 92186, USA
  • 3University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA

  • *Present address: Global Strategies Group (North America), Crofton, MD 21114, USA. cothran.c@gmail.com

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 103, Iss. 21 — 20 November 2009

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×