Fundamental Magnetofluid Physics Studies on the Swarthmore Spheromak Experiment: Reconnection and Sustainment

Brown, M.R.

Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA (United States)

关键词: Solar Flares;    70 Plasma Physics And Fusion Technology;    Magnetic Reconnection;    Sun;    Kinetic Energy;   

DOI  :  10.2172/830014
RP-ID  :  None
RP-ID  :  FG02-97ER54422
RP-ID  :  830014

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

The general goal of the Magnetofluids Laboratory at Swarthmore College is to understand how magnetofluid kinetic energy can be converted to magnetic energy as it is in the core of the earth and sun (the dynamo problem) and to understand how magnetic energy can be rapidly converted back to kinetic energy and heat as it is in solar flares (the magnetic reconnection problem). Magnetic reconnection has been studied using the Swarthmore Spheromak Experiment (SSX) which was designed and built under this Junior Faculty Grant. In SSX we generate and merge two rings of magnetized plasma called spheromaks and study their interaction. The spheromaks have many properties similar to solar flares so this work is directly relevant to basic solar physics. In addition, since the spheromak is a magnetic confinement fusion configuration, issues of formation and stability have direct impact on the fusion program.