Bellan, P.M.Hsu, S.C.Hansen, J.F.Tokman, M.Pracko, S.E.Romero-Talamás, Carlos2024-01-252024-01-252003Bellan, P.M., et al. “(EX/P4-22) Investigations into the Relationship between Spheromak, Solar, and Astrophysical Plasmas.” Presented at 19th International Conference on Fusion Energy 2002, Lyon, France, 14–19 October 2002. https://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/csp_019c/html/node268.htm.http://hdl.handle.net/11603/3148019th International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Fusion Energy Conference (FEC), Lyon, France, 14-19 October 2002Spheromaks offer the potential for a simple, low cost fusion reactor and involve physics similar to certain solar and astrophysical phenomena. A program to improve understanding of spheromaks by exploiting this relationship is underway using (i) a planar spheromak gun and (ii) a solar prominence simulator. These devices differ in symmetry but both involve spheromak technology whereby high-voltage is applied across electrodes linking a bias magnetic flux created by external coils. The planar spheromak gun consists of a co-planar disk and annulus linked by a poloidal bias field. Application of high voltage across the gap between disk and annulus drives a current along the bias field. If the current to flux ratio exceeds the inverse of the characteristic linear dimension, a spheromak is ejected. A distinct kink forms just below the ejection threshold. The solar simulation gun consists of two adjacent electromagnets which generate a ``horse-shoe'' arched bias field. A current is driven along this arched field by a capacitor bank. The current channel first undergoes pinching, then writhes, and finally bulges outwards due to the hoop force.en-USThis item is likely protected under Title 17 of the U.S. Copyright Law. Unless on a Creative Commons license, for uses protected by Copyright Law, contact the copyright holder or the author.Text