Spheromak formation and sustainment by tangential boundary flows

Abstract

The nonlinear, resistive, 3D magnetohydrodynamic equations are solved numerically to demonstrate the possibility of forming and sustaining a spheromak by forcing tangential flows at the plasma boundary. The method can by explained in terms of helicity injection and differs from other helicity injection methods employed in the past. Several features which were also observed in previous dc helicity injection experiments are identified and discussed.