Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 14, 2026

Magnetically Induced Rotating Rayleigh-Taylor Instability
Published on: March 3, 2017
On demand triggering of edge localized instabilities using external nonaxisymmetric magnetic perturbations in
Abstract:
The application of nonaxisymmetric magnetic fields is shown to destabilize edge-localized modes (ELMs) during otherwise ELM-free periods of discharges in the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX). Profile analysis shows the applied fields increased the temperature and pressure gradients, decreasing edge stability. This robust effect was exploited for a new form of ELM control: the triggering of ELMs at will in high performance H mode plasmas enabled by lithium conditioning, yielding high time-averaged energy confinement with reduced core impurity density and radiated power.
Related Concept Videos
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Relaxation Processes
Torque On A Current Loop In A Magnetic Field
Consider a rectangular current-carrying loop containing N turns of wire, placed in a uniform magnetic field. The net force on a current-carrying loop...
Magnetostatic Boundary Conditions
Magnetic Damping
If, however, the bob is a slotted metal plate, the magnet produces a much smaller effect. When a slotted metal plate enters the field, an emf is induced by the change in flux; however, it is less effective because the slots limit the...
Force On A Current Loop In A Magnetic Field
Magnetic Field due to Moving Charges
Consider a point charge moving with a constant velocity. Like the electric field, the magnetic field at any point is directly proportional to the magnitude of the charge and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the source point and the field point. However, unlike the electric field, the magnetic field is always perpendicular to the plane containing the line...

