Modeling magnetic fields measured by surface probes embedded in a cylindrical flux conserver

Area of Science:

• Plasma Physics
• Magnetohydrodynamics
• Computational Physics

Background:

• Z-pinches are plasma confinement devices crucial for fusion energy research.
• Understanding plasma behavior requires accurate calculation of magnetic fields.
• Eddy currents in flux conservers complicate magnetic field measurements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simplified method for calculating surface magnetic fields of displaced Z-pinch plasmas.
• To provide analytic expressions for surface magnetic fields in cylindrical flux conservers.
• To facilitate the analysis of magnetic probe measurements by bypassing explicit eddy current calculation.

Main Methods:

• Derivation of a direct relationship between Z-pinch displacement and surface magnetic field.
• Utilizing the Biot-Savart law for the plasma current component.
• Developing analytic expressions for the total magnetic field at the flux conserver surface.

Main Results:

• A straightforward method for calculating surface magnetic fields for off-axis Z-pinch displacements is established.
• The derived analytic expressions eliminate the need for tedious eddy current computations.
• The method accurately accounts for magnetic fields from both plasma and eddy currents.

Conclusions:

• The new method significantly simplifies the analysis of magnetic probe data from Z-pinches.
• This approach enhances the understanding of plasma modes and behavior in flux conservers.
• The derived analytic expressions offer a valuable tool for plasma physics research.