STUDIES OF PLASMA EQUILIBRIUM AND TRANSPORT IN A TOKAMAK FUSION DEVICE WITH THE INVERSE-VARIABLE TECHNIQUE

We describe an accurate and efficient model for studying the evolution of tokamak plasmas. The equilibrium problem for a plasma with a free boundary is solved using the “inverse variable” technique. The one-dimensional (averaged on magnetic surfaces) system of transport equations are solved together with the circuit equations for the vacuum vessel and the passive and active coils. As an example of the application of this method, we simulate the discharge in the T-3M tokamak as it transiently evolves to a separatrix configuration. © 1993 Academic Press, Inc.