An analytic large aspect ratio, high beta equilibrium

Abstract

Understanding the magnetohydrodynamic equilibrium and stability properties of Tokamaks with extreme values of plasma beta is a problem of eternal interest. Numerical work is adequate for elucidating the practical consequences, but it is useful, when taking a parameter to its limit, to have analytic or semi-analytic models. Here an axisymmetric, toroidal, high-beta equilibrium model is constructed that is superior to those used in the past. It demonstrates the nature of the limit of very large beta, and should be useful as a starting point for stability studies.