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Rotational transform: Difference between revisions
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The rotational transform (or field line pitch) ''ι/2π'' is defined as the | The rotational transform (or field line pitch) ''ι/2π'' is defined as the number of poloidal transits per single toroidal transit of a field line on a toroidal flux surface. | ||
The definition can be relaxed somewhat to include field lines moving in a spatial volume between two nested toroidal surfaces (e.g., a stochastic field region). | The definition can be relaxed somewhat to include field lines moving in a spatial volume between two nested toroidal surfaces (e.g., a stochastic field region). | ||
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In [[Tokamak|tokamak]] research, the quantity ''q = 2π/ι'' is preferred (called the "safety factor"). | In [[Tokamak|tokamak]] research, the quantity ''q = 2π/ι'' is preferred (called the "safety factor"). | ||
In a circular | In a circular tokamak, | ||
the equations of a field line on the flux surface are, approximately: | 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> | <ref>K. Miyamoto, ''Plasma Physics and Controlled Nuclear Fusion'', Springer-Verlag (2005) {{ISBN|3540242171}}</ref> | ||
:<math>\frac{r d\theta}{B_\theta} = \frac{Rd\varphi}{B_\varphi}</math> | :<math>\frac{r d\theta}{B_\theta} = \frac{Rd\varphi}{B_\varphi}</math> | ||
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:<math>q \simeq \frac{r B_\varphi}{R B_\theta}</math> | :<math>q \simeq \frac{r B_\varphi}{R B_\theta}</math> | ||
Where the poloidal magnetic field <math>{B_\theta}</math> is mostly produced by a toroidal plasma current. The principal significance of the safety factor ''q'' is that if <math>q \leq 2</math> at the last closed flux surface (the edge), the plasma is [[:Wikipedia:Magnetohydrodynamics|magnetohydrodynamically]] unstable.<ref>Wesson J 1997 Tokamaks 2nd edn (Oxford: Oxford University Press) p280 ISBN 0198509227</ref> | Where the poloidal magnetic field <math>{B_\theta}</math> is mostly produced by a toroidal plasma current. The principal significance of the safety factor ''q'' is that if <math>q \leq 2</math> at the last closed flux surface (the edge), the plasma is [[:Wikipedia:Magnetohydrodynamics|magnetohydrodynamically]] unstable.<ref>Wesson J 1997 Tokamaks 2nd edn (Oxford: Oxford University Press) p280 {{ISBN|0198509227}}</ref> | ||
In [[Tokamak|tokamaks]] with a [[divertor]], ''q'' approaches infinity at the [[separatrix]], so it is more useful to consider ''q'' just inside the separatrix. It is customary to use ''q'' at the 95% flux surface (''q<sub>95</sub>'' | In [[Tokamak|tokamaks]] with a [[divertor]], ''q'' approaches infinity at the [[separatrix]], so it is more useful to consider ''q'' just inside the separatrix. It is customary to use ''q'' at the 95% flux surface (the flux surface that encloses 95% of the poloidal flux), ''q<sub>95</sub>''. | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||