Axially symmetric magnetohydrodynamic equilibria with free-boundaries and arbitrary cross section

Abstract

An iterative method is used to solve the magnetohydrodynamic equations of free‐boundary, axially symmetric equilibria with arbitrary cross section. The method is applied numerically to the study of the plasma equilibrium. The limiter creates a vacuum region outside the plasma. It is shown that the current density profile has a strong effect on the equilibrium. Topologically different equilibria may be obtained by changes in the parameters which determine the current profile. The method is also applied to generate elliptic, D‐shape, doublet, and other shapes of equilibria maintained by coil systems.