Axisymmetric equilibria with central current reversal caused by non-parallel plasma flow

Abstract

We obtain analytic solutions of a generalised Grad-Shafranov equation describing steady states with incompressible plasma flow of arbitrary direction, toroidal current reversal and either nested or non-nested magnetic surfaces. It turns out that the component of the flow velocity non parallel to the magnetic field can result in normal equilibria with central current-reversal, i.e. equilibria with nested magnetic surfaces and monotonically varying pressure profiles.