<i>F</i>-Θ pumping and field modulation experiments on a reversed field pinch discharge

Abstract

Computational simulations indicate that proper programming of the toroidal and poloidal magnetic fields in a reversed field pinch (RFP) can drive a steady-state current. This current drive technique, called F-Θ pumping, assumes that the RFP plasma remains in a quasirelaxed state and that the field programming is not deleterious to pinch performace. Field modulation experiments on the Los Alamos ZT-40M experiment have shown that these assumptions are reasonable, and hence F-Θ pumping is a plausible candidate for RFP current drive.