Rotational transform: Difference between revisions

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In [[Tokamak|tokamak]] research, the quantity ''q = 2&pi;/&iota;'' is preferred (called the "safety factor").
In [[Tokamak|tokamak]] research, the quantity ''q = 2&pi;/&iota;'' is preferred (called the "safety factor").
In a circular [[Tokamak|tokamak]], ''q'' can be approximated by
In a circular [[Tokamak|tokamak]],  
''q = r B<sub>&phi;</sub> / R B<sub>&theta;</sub>''.
the equations of a field line on the flux surface are, approximately:
<ref>K. Miyamoto, ''Plasma Physics and Controlled Nuclear Fusion'', Springer-Verlag (2005) ISBN 3540242171</ref>
 
:<math>\frac{r d\theta}{B_\theta} = \frac{Rd\phi}{B_\phi}</math>
 
where ''&phi;'' and ''&theta;'' are the [[Toroidal coordinates|toroidal and poloidal angles]], respectively.
Thus ''q = d&phi;/d&theta;'' can be approximated by
 
:<math>q = \frac{r B_\phi}{R B_\theta}</math>
 
== References ==
<references />

Revision as of 15:51, 30 July 2010

Assuming the existence of toroidally nested magnetic flux surfaces, the rotational transform (field line pitch) is defined as

where ψ is the poloidal magnetic flux, and φ the toroidal magnetic flux. Thus, ι/2π is the mean number of toroidal transits (n) divided by the mean number of poloidal transits (m) of a field line on a flux surface.

In tokamak research, the quantity q = 2π/ι is preferred (called the "safety factor"). In a circular tokamak, the equations of a field line on the flux surface are, approximately: [1]

where φ and θ are the toroidal and poloidal angles, respectively. Thus q = dφ/dθ can be approximated by

References

  1. K. Miyamoto, Plasma Physics and Controlled Nuclear Fusion, Springer-Verlag (2005) ISBN 3540242171