Plasma Rotation Induced by Biasing in Axially Symmetric Mirrors

Abstract

Physics of the plasma rotation driven by biasing in linear traps is analyzed for two limiting cases. The first, relevant for traps with decent plasma parameters, considers the line-tying effects to be responsible for the drive as well as for the dissipation of the angular momentum. Meanwhile, in long and thin traps with low plasma parameters or developed turbulence the radial transport of the angular momentum becomes its primary loss channel. The momentum flux goes into the scrape-off layer; that makes conditions there partially responsible for the achievable rotation limits.