The role of the nϕ=1 column mode in spheromak formation

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https://pubs.aip.org/aip/pop/article-abstract/16/4/042501/934611/The-role-of-the-n-1-column-mode-in-spheromak?redirectedFrom=fulltext

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https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3097909
 http://hdl.handle.net/11603/31461

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UMBC Mechanical Engineering Department

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https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6830-3126

Date

2009-04-01

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journal articles
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Citation of Original Publication

B. I. Cohen, C. A. Romero-Talamás, D. D. Ryutov, E. B. Hooper, L. L. LoDestro, H. S. McLean, T. L. Stewart, R. D. Wood; The role of the nϕ=1 column mode in spheromak formation. Phys. Plasmas 1 April 2009; 16 (4): 042501. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3097909

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This work was written as part of one of the author's official duties as an Employee of the United States Government and is therefore a work of the United States Government. In accordance with 17 U.S.C. 105, no copyright protection is available for such works under U.S. Law.
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Abstract

Observations in strongly driven spheromak experiments and simulations using a time-dependent, three-dimensional, nonlinear, resistive magnetohydrodynamic code indicate that in the formation phase an nϕ = 1 instability (⁠nϕ is the toroidal Fourier mode) is excited by the current-carrying column injected from the gun region. The growth of the nϕ = 1 column mode terminates in a violent event in which there is significant magnetic reconnection and a topology change. The combined action of the nϕ = 1 kink instability and the reconnection event amplifies the poloidal flux. By means of experimental diagnostics, detailed diagnostics and visualizations in the simulations, and a phenomenological model of the linear perturbations, we investigate the roles of the nϕ = 1 column mode and reconnection in forming the spheromak.