Magnetohydrodynamic simulation of dynamical behavior of a field-reversed configuration during magnetic mirror reflection

摘要

A two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation of the reflection dynamics of a field-reversed configuration (FRC) plasma is performed by numerically modeling a confinement region of the FRC Injection Experiment [H. Himura , Phys. Plasmas. 2, 191 (1995)] machine. The FRC plasma is reflected by a downstream magnetic mirror field at the end of the confinement region without severe destruction of the closed magnetic flux surfaces even when injected at supersonic velocity into the magnetic mirror region, showing the robustness of the FRC against external perturbations. By examining the details of FRC motion, it is also predicted for any translation velocities that the FRC might eventually settle down in the confinement region and approach a MHD equilibrium condition. Interestingly, it is observed that the formation of a discontinuous wave front is caused by a shock when the FRC at supersonic velocity is reflected by the magnetic mirror. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics. [References: 27]