Equilibrium and Stability of a Three-Dimensional Toroidal MHD Configuration Near its Magnetic Axis

Abstract

Abstract The expansion of a three-dimensional toroidal magnetohydrostatic equilibrium around its magnetic axis is reconsidered. Equilibrium and stability plasma-β estimates are obtained in connection with a discussion of stagnation points occurring in the third-order flux surfaces. The stability criteria entering the β-estimates are: (i) a necessary criterion for localized disturbances, (ii) a new sufficient criterion for configurations without longitudinal current. Hamada coordinates are used to evaluate these criteria.