#)*+"#,

MHD EQUILIBRIUM
roved Field line topology
that there exist formal
not the case in 3-D, where even
rfaces is not •guaranteed
Magnetic field lines in 3-D toroidal topology can form
islands and stochastic regions
ng the
specify
in the
re p(s)
ressure
loidal)

undary
• A set of nested torii gives a better confinement.
3 @S↵
d Vx = d2 Sx S↵ n↵ d3 VS↵↵ = 0
@x↵
MHD EQUILIBRIUM ↵

Z XZ
Magnetic
3
surfaces
@S↵
d Vx = d3 VS↵↵ = 0
@x↵
• Assume magnetic 262 ↵
field lines lie on a set MHD – macroscopic equilibrium

of closed, nested toroidal surfaces.

• From the MHD rpmomentum
= J ⇥ B balance
equation we get

B · rp = 0

• Then magnetic field lines lie on surfaces

of constant pressure.
J · rp = 0
• These magnetic surfaces that coincide
with isobaric surfaces are also called flux
surfaces because the magnetic flux
calculated for those can Figure
be used11.8 to labelof constant pressure in a well-confined toroidal equ
Contours
them.
 262 rp
MHD –= J⇥B
macroscopic equilibrium

MHD EQUILIBRIUM
Current surfaces
B · rp = 0
• Scalar product of current density by moment equation gives

J · rp = 0

• This implies that the current density lines also lie on the
isobaric surfaces. This means that the current flows between
Figure 11.8 Contours of constant pressure in a well-confined toroidal equilibrium.
flux surfaces and not through them.

J
2
1

2
1

Figure 11.9 Two flux surfaces, 1 and 2, at two different toroidal locations showing that the current
flows between and not across them.
MHD EQUILIBRIUM
Magnetic surfaces

• Note that, although B and J lines lie on the flux surfaces, this
does not necessarily imply that B and J are parallel.
• In general they form an arbitrary angle, and the cases of
purely parallel or perpendicular field lines are special ones.
 B · rp = 0B · rp = 0
B · rp = 0
MHD EQUILIBRIUM
Magnetic pressure and
J · rp = 0
tension
J ·Jrp ==
· rp 0 0
• From
✓
momentum
◆
balance equation, one obtains
B 2 ✓ ✓ 1 2 ◆2 ◆
r p+ B(BB· r) B1 =1 0
r p
2µ0 r p+
µ0+ (B(B· r)
· B=
r) B 0= 0
2µ2µ
0 0 µ0 µ0
• But 1
(B · r) B = (B · rB) b + B (b · r) b = 2 rk B 2 + B 2 1
2
(B · r) B = (B · rB) b + B 2 (b · r) b = rk B 2 + B 2 
2
✓ 2
◆
B B2
so r? p + =0
2µ0 µ0

Magnetic field pressure Magnetic field tension

• The tension force (last term) is easy to visualize if we imagine
the field lines as behaving as stretched rubber bands wrapped
around the flux surfaces.
MHD EQUILIBRIUM
Radial pressure balance
264 MHD – macroscopic equilibrium

• The analysis is greatly simplified by Top view

transforming a toroidal configuration (a) Plasma

into a straight cylinder (b) R0

Mathematical
cut
• The problem of toroidal force balance is
avoided in this type of geometry so we
consider only the problem of radial (a)

pressure balance.
• If the plasma cross section is circular,
the geometry becomes 1-D as all the
2pR
quantities depend only on the minor 0
(b)
radius r. Figure 11.11 (a) Top view of a torus showing the mathematical cut. (b) Equivalent st

In summary, it is useful to think of a well-confined fusion plasma as one

pressure contours form a set of closed nested toroidal surfaces. Both the magn
and current density lines lie on these surfaces. The magnetic forces that ho
together arise from a combination of two different mechanisms: magnetic
magnetic tension.
MHD EQUILIBRIUM
Cylindrical concepts

The theta-pinch The z-pinch

MHD EQUILIBRIUM
Theta pinch

• Straight magnetic field no

tension.

• Equation gives constant

total pressure
MHD EQUILIBRIUM
Theta pinch

• Total pressure is constant

• Magnetic field is reduced

inside the plasma, i.e. the
plasma is diamagnetic
• Note that any pressure
profile is possible
Drawing of the plasma pressure
and the magnetic field pressure
as a function of the radius (r =
0 is the centre of the plasma)
MHD EQUILIBRIUM
Theta pinch

• The maximum pressure is

however limited

Drawing of the plasma pressure

and the magnetic field pressure
as a function of the radius for
the case in which the maximum
pressure is reached
MHD EQUILIBRIUM
Theta pinch

• A current is needed to
change the magnetic field

• Current is in the θ
direction.
Diamagnetic current J
• Generates a magnetic field
generated by the pressure
in the opposite direction
gradient
• Hence its name:
diamagnetic current
 X
MHD
F=EQUILIBRIUM
F↵ = J ⇥ B
Aren’t the↵particles automatically confined?

= rp
• FCharged + J ⇥gyrate
particles B
around the magnetic field
lines X
• Notep= since the
n↵Lorentz
T↵
force depends
↵ on the
charge
F = Z↵ eu ⇥ B
Ions and electrons gyrate
• Electrons and ions gyrate around the magnetic field line
in the opposite direction in the opposite direction.
MHD EQUILIBRIUM
Theta pinch

• Diamagnetic current is
automatically generated

Two gyrating ions. Due to the

density gradient there are more
particles moving down
compared with up
MHD EQUILIBRIUM
Heating of the Theta-pinch

• Ramp up the magnetic field by

ramping the current in the
coils
• The magnetic field pressure
will increase and is no longer
balanced by the plasma
pressure
• The plasma is compressed
• Compression leads to work
against the pressure gradient
force which will heat the
plasma
MHD EQUILIBRIUM
The Theta pinch is stable

• The magnetic field acts like

a rubber tube
• Bending it will lead to a
magnetic field tension, and
consequently to a force that
wants to make the field
straight again
• Squeezing it will lead to an
increase in the magnetic
field pressure and
consequently to a force that
wants to prevent the
squeezing
MHD EQUILIBRIUM
Theta pinch summary

• Plasma with finite pressure in a magnetic field leads to

diamagnetic current
• This current is ‘automatically’ generated and simply
reflects that the particles are confined
• Because of diamagnetism the maximum plasma beta is 1.
• The theta pinch is stable and can confine any pressure
profile
• End losses prevent this concept to be useful for a reactor.
MHD EQUILIBRIUM
Z-pinch (Bennett pinch)

• A strong current is generated

in the z-direction
• This current generates a
magnetic field in the θ
direction
• JxB force is then fully
determined
• Pressure gradient must balance
the JxB force and is then also
fully determined by the current
MHD EQUILIBRIUM
Z-pinch

• Current is the source of the magnetic field

• Field in the θ-direction :

MHD EQUILIBRIUM
Z-pinch profiles

• Pressure profile follows from the force balance

• The pressure profile is parabolic

MHD EQUILIBRIUM
Z-pinch profiles

• For uniform current profile

the pressure must be
parabolic
• The maximum pressure scales
with the current squared
• Magnetic field increases with
radius -> magnetic pressure
confines the plasma
• But field lines are also Radial profiles of pressure
circular. Field line tension is current and magnetic field for a
as important z-pinch
MHD EQUILIBRIUM
Z-pinch: plasma beta

• Taking the pressure in the centre and the magnetic field at

the edge

• One finds
MHD EQUILIBRIUM
Z-pinch heating

• Now one ramps the current,

but the effect is again the
compression of the
magnetic field
• Besides the heating due to
compression, the current
will also dissipate heat when
the plasma resistivity is
finite Ramping of the current will
increase the magnetic field
which will compress the plasma
MHD EQUILIBRIUM
Confinement in the Z-pinch

• The z-pinch confines the particles. NO end losses

The theta-pinch The z-pinch
MHD EQUILIBRIUM
Z-pinch stability

• Bend the plasma channel

• The field line density on the
inside goes up (higher
magnetic field strength) on
the outside it decreases
(lower magnetic field
strength)
• The gradient in the magnetic The Z-pinch is unstable. Most
field strength thus generated relevant instability is the kink
leads to a force that enhances
the perturbation
• Equilibrium is not stable
MHD EQUILIBRIUM
Z-pinch summary

• Through the use of a current an equilibrium can be

generated
• No end losses in this equilibrium
• It can be efficiently heated through compression as well as
the dissipation due to a finite resistivity
• Plasma beta is 2
• BUT it is not stable
• Z-pinch is still used as X-ray source
MHD EQUILIBRIUM
Use of the Z-pinch

• An enormous current is sent

through a set of iron wires
• The wires first melt and finally
form a plasma
• This plasma produces X-rays
which implode the pellet
• Also the different current
channels contract each other
MHD EQUILIBRIUM
Z-machine

• The different current

channels attract each other
• Leads to an inward motion
• Here photographed with a
exposure time of 1 ns
MHD EQUILIBRIUM
The screw pinch

• The screw pinch is a configuration formed by a combination of

theta-pinch and Z-pinch magnetic fields.
• In this configuration the field lines twist around the magnetic
surface like a screw thread.
• Every configuration of interest in magnetic fusion confinement
devices satisfies a form of radial pressure balance that
corresponds to the general screw pinch.
• This general configuration demonstrates how magnetic
pressure and magnetic tension can provide radial pressure
balance.
 r dr + = dr 11 2 = 2 22 k
a2 0 dr(B 2µ
· r)
(B · r) B B = µ
(B r
· ✓
rB) a
b 2 B22◆(b ·dr
+ r) b =2µ
0 = (B ·0rB) b + B20 (b · r) 2b = 0r rkk B2 +2µ
B 0

B◆ B 2 2
MHD EQUILIBRIUM r?✓ p + B✓ 2
B 2
◆  = 0
J = J✓ (r)e✓ +1Jr
z (r)e
? ✓p✓
z 2µ
+ ⌦ 2↵◆ 0◆ B = µ
2 0 0 B2
hpi = B 2
r2µB0B22 p +µB
0BB222
=0
The screw pinch 2µ0 rr?? pp++2µ2µ00 2µ
za ? z ✓a  = 0
µµ000
 = 0 µ 0
B = B✓ (r)e
B = B (r)e
+ B (r)ez
+✓B (r)ez
dBz 1 d ✓ ✓ z z
µ0 J =
• Non-trivial e✓ +
unknowns: (rB
B =✓B),BB
p(r) e✓ (r)e
z = ✓B+(r)e
Bz (r)e z Bz (r)ez ,
dr r dr B = ✓ (r)e✓ +✓Bz (r)e✓ +
z

J J== J✓ J ✓ (r)e
(r)e ✓ +✓J+ Jz (r)e
z (r)e z z
J = J✓ (r)e✓ + Jz (r)ez
• Condition r · B = 0 is Jautomatically
= J✓ (r)eJ =✓ + J✓J(r)e satisfied.
z (r)e✓ z+ Jz (r)ez
Ampère’s law
yields a relation forµµ0the dBdB
currentz z 1 d1 d
density:
J =
0 J = drdB e✓ r+
e ✓ + (rB✓(rB ) ez ✓ ) ez
dr
1 d
µ0 J = dBdr e✓ +1 rd dr(rB✓ ) ez
z
dp dr z
dBrzdr (rB✓1) edz
= J✓ Bz µJ0zJB=✓ µ0 Jdr=e✓ + r dr e✓ + (rB✓ ) ez
dr r · B = dr
r·B=0
0 r dr
• Substituting J into the pressure r · balance
B=0 equation,
✓ 2 2
◆ 2
r·B=0
d B✓ Bz B✓= J B JrB· B = 0
dp
p+ + + drdp dp =✓ 0z z ✓
dr 2µ0 2µ0 µ0 r = = JJ✓✓BBzz JzJBz B ✓ ✓
dr
dpdr
yields the expression✓ for the = Jradial
✓ B2z ◆ Jpressure
z B✓2 balance
d drB✓2 dp
Bz B✓
✓
p✓+ +22 = ◆J◆✓ Bz =
2 2+ 2 02Jz B✓
drdd 2µB 2µ
0 ✓✓ dr0 z zB B µ 0 ✓B✓
rB
✓ pp+ + 2 + + 2
◆ ++ 2 = 0= 0
ddr
dr B2µ B2µ B
µ0✓µr 0 r
p + 2µ ✓ 00
✓0 2µ02+ 2µ
z 00
+ =0
dr 2µ µ0 r2 ◆ 2
d B✓ Bz B✓
Magnetic field pressure Magnetic field=tension
p + + + 0
dr 2µ0 2µ0 µ0 r
 1 2
⌦ ↵Z  ✓ 2◆ Z a ✓
hpi = Bza B1z2 aB 2
+p(r) d B✓ B✓2
1 d r
MHD EQUILIBRIUM2µ0
a2 0
2✓a
r dr
dr 2µ0
+
µ0 r
= 2
a 0
dr
dr
The screw pinch p(r) B✓ (r) 1 2
⌦ 2↵ 2
hpi = Bza Bz + B✓a
2µ0
• In general one has the freedom to specify two arbitrary
functions, for instance B✓ (r) and Bz (r). The MHD equilibrium
equation then determines the third function, in this case p(r).
• The option of choosingBtwo
z (r) functions arbitrarily is the reason

why the screw pinch relation is capable of describing such a

B✓ (r)
wide range of configurations.
• Two free functions also make sense physically, since in Bz (r)
experiments we have the possibility of independently
programming the coil currents in both the toroidal and poloidal
field circuits.
 ⇣ r ⌘2 ✓ ◆1/2
mi Li VTi ⌧ii
MHD EQUILIBRIUM ⌧
⇣Lr ⌘2 ✓me ◆1/2 L
mi VTi ⌧ii
Li
Force-free equilibria L ⌘
⌧
✓e ◆1/2L
m
⇣ rLi 2 mi VTi ⌧ii
rp = ⌧J ⇥ B
• Equilibria with small or
L negligible
rp = J ⇥ Bplasma pressure are called
me L
force-free since the Lorentz force should vanish.
rpB==J 0⇥ B
J⇥
J⇥B=0
• Nontrivial force-free cylindrical equilibria are possible for the
screw pinch ✓✓ 2 J ⇥ 2
◆
B = 022
◆
d d BB✓ ✓2 B B 2
zz B✓✓
B
++ + ==0 0
+
drdr 2✓2 22 ◆ rr
d B✓2 Bz2 B✓2
• Assuming that the current +ZZ r j2+is uniformly
density =0 distributed
2 2 dr 2 2 2 r B z
2 r
B✓✓dr = Bz02 2
within
2 B (r) = B
the=plasma,
Bz (r) 2 B2 (r) 2
Bz0 B✓ (r) 2 0 r dr = Bz0 2B 2 2B (r)
2
✓ (r)
z z0 ✓ ✓
0 Z rr B 2
✓
Bz2 (r) = Bz02
B✓2 (r) 2 dr = Bz02
2B✓2 (r)
B · rp = 00 r
B · rp = 0
• At low β, the plasma is paramagnetic.
B · rp = 0
J · rp = 0
J · rp = 0
 MHD EQUILIBRIUM
β definition in the screw pinch

• We are now going to derive a general radial pressure balance

relation that can be used to define the “β” of the plasma. The
MHD MODEL / relation
Derivation is useful
of the because
ideal MHD modelit involves integrated averages of the 2
pressure and the fields and thus is not sensitive to the specific
details of the profiles. The relation is obtained by performing
the following averaging operation on the pressure balance
equation:
Z a  ✓ ◆
1 2 d B✓2 Bz2 B✓2
r dr p+ + + =0
a2 0 dr 2µ0 2µ0 µ0 r
Z aof the plasma, the
Here a is the edge Z aradius at which the
1 2 dp 2
pressure and acurrent
2
r densities
dr = first
2
prdr ⌘ hpi
vanish.
dr a 0 0

Z a ✓ ◆ Z a
1 2 d Bz2 2
Bza 2 Bz2 1 2
⌦ ↵
r dr = rdr ⌘ Bza Bz2
a2 0 dr 2µ0 2µ0 a2 0 2µ0 2µ0
 0 0 0 0 0 0

✓ ◆
MHD MODEL
 ✓ model
/ Derivation ofZthe ideal MHD ◆ 26
2 ✓ ◆ Z a r 2 B 2 ✓ 2 B 22 ◆
MHD EQUILIBRIUM
2 a
da Bd✓ B 2B✓
B 1
2
1 d d✓ r B✓a B 2
r r dr
2 + ✓
+ = 2 = dr
✓
dr = ✓
= ✓a
dr 2µ dr 2µ
0 µ 0 r µra 0 a 2dr 2µ dr 2µ
0 2µ 0 2µ
0
β definition in the screw pinch0
MHD MODEL 0 0 of the ideal MHD
/ Derivation 0 model 0 26
1 ⌦ 2↵
hpi = Bza12
B2z +⌦B✓a 2 ↵
2µ•0 A
hpi + Bd✓a
Bza1 Z aBz2 integration
= straightforward 2✓
Bby2 parts
B
◆
2 allows
B✓2 one to simplify
2µ0 2
r dr p+ ✓
+ z
+ =0
the variousa2terms 0
in the
dr previous
2µ 0 equation.
2µ 0 µThe
0 r pressure term
reduces
p(r) to Z
aZ  ✓ Z ◆
p(r)1 1 2 2 dpd a
2B✓
2 a Bz2
B✓2
r dr r dr =p + 2 +prdr ⌘ +hpi =0
a2 a02 0 drdr 2µ
a 00 2µ 0 µ 0 r
B✓ (r)
This Z term ✓ 2 ◆Zrepresents
clearly the Z a2
Zaverage value
B (r) 1 of the pressure.
a a a
1 2 d
✓ B1z 2 dp
2
Bza 2 2 Bz 2
⌦ 2↵
r 2
dr =r dr = 2 a2 2µ
prdr
rdr ⌘ ⌘ hpi
Bza Bz
a2 0 dr 2µ a dr
2µ a 2µ
• The Bz “toroidal”
(r) field term 0can be 0written
0 0 0 0
as 0
Z aZ aB (r) ✓ 2 ✓ ◆ 2◆ 2 2 Z Za a 2 ✓ 2 2◆ 2
1 1 2 rd2 dr Bdz B✓ +Bza
z B✓ 2 1 Bz d r B1✓ 2
B ✓a ⌦ 2↵
2a2 r dr = µ r 2 a2 = dr rdr ⌘2µ =
Bza2µ Bz
aB2za /2µ
0 0 0 dr 2µdr 0
2µ 0 2µ 00 a 0 02µ 0
dr 2µ0 0 0

where ZB a za /2µ0 is ✓
2
the applied
◆
2 1 toroidal
2 ⌦ 2↵ Zmagnetic
a2 ✓pressure
2 2
◆ and2
⌦ 21 ↵ 2 d hpi B
=✓ BBza✓
2
Bz1 + B✓a d r B✓ B✓a
Bz /2µ
a2 00
ris thedraverage
dr 2µvalue of the 2internal toroidal magnetic
+
2µ0 0 µ0 r
=
a 0
dr
dr 2µ0
=
2µ0
pressure.
⌦ ↵
Bz2 /2µ0 1 p(r) ⌦ ↵
2
hpi = Bza Bz2 2
+ B✓a
2µ0
 2
Bza /2µ0 B✓ (r)

MHD EQUILIBRIUM
MHD MODEL / Derivation of the ideal MHD model
⌦ ↵
⌦ 2
Bz /2µ0
↵ 26
B2z (r) Bz (r)
Bz /2µ0
β definition in the screw pinch
⌦2
↵ 2
⌦ 22 ↵ 2 Bz < Bza
• If B
Bzaz < B
2
, thenZ the toroidal
/2µ0 za
 ✓
magnetic field
Bza /2µ0
◆
is diamagnetic,
helping to confine 1 thea
2plasma.
r dr
d This
p+
B✓2is the
+
Bz2situation
+
B✓2 in a theta-
=0
2 ⌦ ↵
pinch.
⌦ 2 On the ↵ other
a 0 hand, ⌦if dr B >
2 z
2 ↵2µB0
za , the toroidal magnetic
2 2µ0 µ0 r
B /2µ Bz /2µ0
field is paramagnetic
z 0 Zand, like the pressure,
1 a 2 dp 2 a
Z is a radial
expansion force. Ina2this 0
case
r dr
⌦ dr2 ↵the
= poloidal
2
a 0 magnetic
prdr ⌘ hpi tension
⌦
must ↵
2 increase2 to balance both
Bz < of Bthese
2
za expansion forces.
B <Bz Z aza ✓ ◆ Z
1 2 d Bz2 2 a Bz2 2
Bza 1 2
⌦ 2↵
• Lastly,athe
2 “poloidal”
r field
dr = contributions
2 can ⌘ simplified
rdrbe Bza as
Bz
0 dr 2µ 0 ⌦ ↵
2µ
2 0
a2 0 2µ 0 2µ 0
⌦ 2↵
follows: 2
Bz > Bza
Bz > BZza  ✓ ◆ Z ✓ ◆
1 a d B✓2 B✓2 1 a
d r2 B✓2 2
B✓a
r2 dr + = 2 dr =
a2 0 dr 2µ0 µ0 r a 0 dr 2µ0 2µ0
B✓a
Here B✓a is related to the toroidal
1 2
plasma
⌦ 2 ↵ current
2
I by
hpi = B Bz + B✓a
2µ0 µ za
0I
B✓a =
2⇡a
p(r)
 Z a ✓ ◆ Z a
1 2 d Bz2 2
Bza 2 Bz2 1 ⌦ ↵
MHD EQUILIBRIUM
2
2
r dr = rdr ⌘ Bza Bz2
a 0 dr 2µ0 2µ0 a2 0 2µ0 2µ0
β definition
Z in the
 screw
✓ ◆pinch Z a ✓ 2 2◆
a 2 2 2
1 2 MHD d B✓ B✓ 1 d r B✓ B✓a
r dr + of the=ideal 2MHD model
MODEL / Derivation dr =
• Combining
2
a 0 these
dr contributions
2µ0 µ0 r leadsa to the
0 desired
dr 2µ global
0 2µ0
radial pressure balance relation
MHD MODEL / Derivation of the ideal MHD model 1 2
⌦ 2↵ 2 27
hpi = Bza Bz + B✓a
2µ0
MHD MODEL / Derivation of the ideal MHD model 27
0 hpi
• The quantity β is supposed to be a measure of=how2µeffective
2 + B2
Bza
the applied fields are at confining 27
rivation of the ideal MHD model
p(r)plasma pressure. The ✓a last
equation therefore suggests the 2µ0 following
hpi definition
2µ0ofhpiβ :
= 2 2 t =
Bza2µ+0 hpi
B✓a 2
Bza
= 2B (r)2
Bza ✓+ B✓a
• Often,=there appear in
2µ0 hpi 2µ0 hpi related
thet =literature 2µ0 hpi
quantities known
2 p = 2
2 +B
Bza 2 Bza B✓a
as the toroidal β✓at and the poloidal beta βp, whose definitions are
Bz (r)
2µ0 hpi 2µ0 hpi 1 1 1
t = 2 p = 2
= +
Bza B✓a t p
2
Bza /2µ0
2µ0 hpi
p =
B2
MHD EQUILIBRIUM
β definition in the screw pinch

• Observe that by definition β ≤ 1. However, either βt or βp, but

not both, can be greater than unity. The total β is dominated by
the smaller of the two contributions.
• These definitions are useful in the comparison of different
proposed magnetic fusion configurations. They can also be
readily generalized to non-circular cross section, toroidal
configurations. In any case, there is no upper limit on the
achievable value of β except the obvious one β ≤ 1.
• The main conclusion from this part devoted to radial pressure
balance is that both toroidal and poloidal magnetic fields, or
combinations thereof, can be used to provide radial pressure
balance in magnetic fusion configurations.