A Three Dimensional Study of Spinning Spheromak

Abstract

The spin-stabilization of the tilt of the spheromak plasma confined by an external magnetic field is investigated by means of a 3D magnetohydrodynamic simulation. The spinning-spheromak equilibrium is dynamically created by giving a spinning speed as high as about Mach one of the poloidal Alfven velocity and simultaneously increasing the magnitude of the external field. The lifetime of the spheromak is thereby remarkably increased. However, a new, presumably pressure-driven, instability is induced by the spin motion, which after all determines the lifetime. The results are indicating that the spinning spheromak, if practically created, can be a good candidate for a feasible confinement configuration.