Open AccessPresent status of mirror stability theory
Author(s) -
Douglas Baldwin,
H. L. Berk,
J. A. Byers
Publication year - 1976
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/4096329
Subject(s) - cyclotron , physics , computation , instability , nonlinear system , stability (learning theory) , diffusion theory , diffusion , plasma , computational physics , mode (computer interface) , classical mechanics , statistical physics , optics , nuclear physics , mechanics , mathematics , computer science , quantum mechanics , algorithm , machine learning , operating system
A status report of microinstability as it applies to 2XIIB and MX theory for mirror machines is presented. It is shown that quasilinear computations reproduce many of the parameters observed in the 2XIIB experiment. In regard to large mirror machines, there are presented detailed calculations of the linear theory of the drift cyclotron loss-cone mode, with inhomogeneous geometry and nonlinear diffusive effects. Further, the stability of a mirror machine to the Alfven ion-cyclotron instability is assessed, and the Baldwin- Callen diffusion is estimated for a spatially varying plasma. (auth