The <i>m</i>=1 helicity source spheromak experiment

Abstract

In this paper extensive measurements of magnetic equilibrium and source parameters in the m=1 helicity source spheromak experiment are described (previously called the kinked z-pinch source [Comments Plasma Phys. Control Fusion 9, 161 (1985)]). In the cylindrical entrance region connecting the stabilized z-pinch helicity source to the spheromak flux conserver, the observed equilibrium configuration is the helical azimuthal m=1 state with no net axial flux. In the flux conserver, the equilibrium is a spheromak (m=0) state with an m=1 distortion. The magnetic equilibria observed are compared to theory. The performance of the source relative to coaxial helicity sources is also examined.