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The small tight aspect ratio tokamak experiment

  • R. J. Colchin
  • , P. G. Carolan
  • , R. Duck
  • , T. Edlington
  • , S. K. Erents
  • , J. Ferreira
  • , S. J. Fielding
  • , K. Gibson
  • , D. H.J. Goodall
  • , M. Gryaznevich
  • , T. C. Hender
  • , J. Hugill
  • , I. Jenkins
  • , J. Li
  • , S. J. Manhood
  • , B. J. Parham
  • , D. C. Robinson
  • , M. Singleton
  • , A. Sykes
  • , T. N. Todd
  • M. F. Turner, M. Valovic, M. Walsh, H. R. Wilson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Low-aspect-ratio tokamaks offer both the economic advantage of smaller size and a number of physics advantages which are not available at conventional aspect ratio. The Small Tight Aspect Ratio Tokamak (START) [Fusion Technology 1990, edited by B. E. Keen, M. Huguet, and R. Hemsworth (North-Holland, Amsterdam, 1991), Vol. 1, p. 353] was conceived as a first substantial test of tokamak plasma behavior at low aspect ratio. It has achieved plasma currents up to 200 kA, peak densities of ∼2X 1020 m-3 and central electron temperatures of ∼500 eV at an aspect ratio of 1.3-1.5. Central beta values of ∼13% have been measured and the volume-averaged beta 〈β〉 can approach the Troyon limit. Plasmas are naturally elongated (κ≲2.0) and are vertically stable without feedback control. Major disruptions have not been observed at low aspect ratios (A≤2.0).

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2481-2484
Number of pages4
JournalPhysics of Fluids B
Volume5
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - 1993
Externally publishedYes

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