2019/10/28 by M. R. Brown, Brown, M. R., K. D. Gelber +5
Mathematics · Physics and Astronomy · #Algorithm #FOS: Physical sciences #Geometry #Helicity #Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics #Magnetic confinement fusion research #Magnetic helicity #Magnetohydrodynamic drive #Magnetohydrodynamics #Mathematical analysis #Mathematics #Physics #Plasma #Plasma Physics (physics.plasm-ph) #Quantum electrodynamics #Quantum mechanics #Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics #State (computer science) #Taylor series #Twist #physics.plasm-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1910.13861
12 pages, 8 figures, submitted to MDPI Plasma. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1811.07008
arxiv created 2019/10/28 · openalex publication_date 2019/10/28 · arxiv updated 2019/10/31 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
We describe experiments and simulations of dynamical merging with two Taylor state plasmas in the SSX device. Taylor states are formed by magnetized plasma guns at opposite ends of the device. We have performed experiments with Taylor states of either sense of magnetic helicity (right-handed twist or left-handed twist). We present results of both counter-helicity merging (one side left-handed, the other right-handed) and co-helicity merging (both sides left-handed). Experiments show significant ion heating, consistent with magnetic reconnection. Magnetohydrodynamic simulations of these experiments reveal the structure of the final relaxed, merged state.