Three-Dimensional Simulation of Spheromak Creation and Tilting Disruption

Abstract

Spheromak dynamics is studied for a zero-$\beta$ plasma by a three-dimensional magneto-hydrodynamics simulation code. The growth rate of the tilting instability is found to be of the order of $10{\tau }_{\mathrm{A}}$ (Alfvén transit time) and, more interestingly, once tilt occurs, the spheromak field reconnects three dimensionally with the vertical field, thus leading to a disruptive deformation of the spheromak.