Rotational transform: Difference between revisions

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In a circular tokamak,  
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 (the flux surface that encloses 95% of the toroidal flux), ''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 ==