A pressure profile analysis of high-beta ISX-B tokamak plasmas using MHD equilibrium geometry

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Abstract
The paper describes a method, as implemented in the computer code ZORNOC, for the analysis of high-beta, non-circular ISX-B tokamak plasma profiles. Thomson scattering electron temperature and density profiles, obtained at a fixed time into the discharge, are used as a basis for performing a complete energy analysis of the plasma and for obtaining confinement parameters assuming steady-state conditions. Self-consistent models for both magnetohydrodynamic equilibrium and ion power balance are used to obtain internal flux surface and ion temperature profiles, respectively, consistent with all the known diagnostic data. Using boundary conditions consistent with poloidal magnetic measurements, a current profile parameterization is obtained that is consistent with the observed location of the q = 1 surface as indicated by soft X-ray diagnostics. A specific high-beta discharge is analysed in order to illustrate the procedure.