Forge Capsule

Magnetohydrodynamics: Plasma Physics and Fusion Confinement

MHD (Magnetohydrodynamics): fluid description of conducting plasma. Ideal MHD: ∂ρ/∂t + ∇·(ρv)=0 (continuity), ρ(∂v/∂t + v·∇v) = J×B - ∇P (momentum), E + v×B = 0 (ideal Ohm). Magnetic Reynolds number Rm = μσvL. Alfvén waves: transverse MHD wave, speed v_A = B/√(μρ). Magnetosonic waves: fast/slow modes. Tokamak: toroidal magnetic confinement, q-factor safety. ITER: 15 MA plasma current, 5T toroidal field. Resistive MHD: magnetic diffusion, tearing modes, reconnection. Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. Rayleigh-Taylor instability. Grad-Shafranov equation: equilibrium condition for axisymmetric toroidal plasma. Forge: plasma physics capsules with provenance from NRL Plasma Formulary, ITER documentation, arXiv physics....