Computation of Multi-region Relaxed Magnetohydrodynamic Equilibria
Authors: S.R. Hudson, R.L. Dewar, G. Dennis, M.J. Hole, M. McGann, G. von Nessi and S. Lazerson
Abstract:
We describe the construction of stepped-pressure equilibria as extrema of a multi-region, relaxed
magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) energy functional that combines elements of ideal MHD and Taylor
relaxation, and which we call MRXMHD. The model is compatible with Hamiltonian chaos theory
and allows the three-dimensional MHD equilibrium problem to be formulated in a well-posed manner
suitable for computation. The energy-functional is discretized using a mixed finite-element, Fourier
representation for the magnetic vector potential and the equilibrium geometry; and numerical solutions
are constructed using the stepped-pressure equilibrium code, SPEC. Convergence studies with
respect to radial and Fourier resolution are presented.
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Submitted to: Physics of Plasmas (December 2012)
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Download PPPL-4863 (pdf 2.92 MB 19 pp)
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