Work

Near-ideal relaxed MHD in slab geometry

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We investigate the solutions of the relaxed magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model (RxMHD) of R. Dewar and Z. Qu [J. Plasma Phys. 88, 835880101 (2022)]. This model generalizes Taylor relaxation by including the ideal Ohm's law constraint using an augmented Lagrangian method, providing a pathway to extend the multi-region relaxed MHD (MRxMHD) model. We present the first numerical solution of the RxMHD model by Dewar and Qu, demonstrating that it is mathematically well-defined and computationally feasible for constructing MHD equilibria in slab geometry. We also show that a cross-field flow can exist without enforcing an arbitrary constraint on the angular momentum, as is done in the case of MRxMHD with flow. Our results also demonstrate the self-organization of fully relaxed regions during the optimization, which was an important motivation behind developing this model.

Source: Physics of Plasmas

DOI: 10.1063/5.0251817

Authors: Arash Tavassoli, Stuart R. Hudson, Zhisong Qu, Matthew Hole

Institutions: Australian National University, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Nanyang Technological University

Language: English

Topic: Magnetic confinement fusion research

Subfield: Nuclear and High Energy Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: U.S. Department of Energy, Simons Foundation

Awards: G2267808223, G663282964