1ST RESULTS FROM THE MADISON SYMMETRIC TORUS REVERSED FIELD PINCH

The first period of physics operation of the Madison Symmetric Torus (MST) reversed field pinch [Plasma Physics and Controlled Nuclear Fusion Research 1988 (IAEA, Vienna, 1989), Vol 2, p. 757] has produced information on sawtooth oscillations, edge magnetic and electrostatic fluctuations, and equilibrium parameters at large plasma size. Sawtooth oscillations are prevalent at all values of pinch parameter and might constitute discrete dynamo events. Both electrostatic and magnetic fluctuations are of sufficient magnitude to be relevant to transport in the reversed field pinch. In the plasmas studied to date (up to a plasma current of 0.5 MA) the poloidal beta value is about 10% or greater. © 1990 American Institute of Physics.