Greenwald limit: Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search
no edit summary
No edit summary
No edit summary
Line 6: Line 6:
where ''n<sub>G</sub>'' is the density in 10<sup>10</sup> m<sup>-3</sup>, ''I<sub>p</sub>'' the plasma current in MA, and ''a'' the minor radius in m.  
where ''n<sub>G</sub>'' is the density in 10<sup>10</sup> m<sup>-3</sup>, ''I<sub>p</sub>'' the plasma current in MA, and ''a'' the minor radius in m.  


In tokamaks (and RFPs), exceeding the Greenwald limit typically leads to a disruption, although sometimes the limit can be crossed without deleterious effects (especially with peaked density profiles). Stellarators can typically exceed the Greenwald limit by factors of 2 or more (replacing ''I<sub>p</sub>'' by the corresponding magnetic field).
In tokamaks (and RFPs), exceeding the Greenwald limit typically leads to a disruption, although sometimes the limit can be crossed without deleterious effects (especially with peaked density profiles). Stellarators can typically exceed the Greenwald limit by factors of 2 to 5, or more (replacing ''I<sub>p</sub>'' by an equivalent current corresponding to the magnetic field).


The mechanism behind this phenomenological limit is not understood, but probably associated with edge gradient limits.
The mechanism behind this phenomenological limit is not understood, but probably associated with edge gradient limits.

Navigation menu