MOMENTUM TRANSPORT AND FLOW DAMPING IN THE REVERSED-FIELD PINCH PLASMA

A biased electrode is used in the Madison Symmetric Torus (MST) revers ed-field pinch [Fusion Technol. 19, 131 (1991)] to manipulate plasma f low in order to study flow damping and momentum transport. Finite radi al conductivity allows a radial current, which provides the toroidal t orque that spins up the plasma. The applied torque is balanced by a vi scous force that opposes toroidal flow acceleration. From the plasma f low damping the viscosity is inferred to be anomalous. The radial tran sport of toroidal momentum is comparable to that of particles and ener gy, and is consistent with transport by stochastic magnetic field line s. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics. [S1070-664X(98)02011-4].