Current reduction and generation of current reversal in an axisymmetric toroidal pinch

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Abstract
Intensive current reduction has been observed during minor radical compression of a current carrying toroidal plasma by means of a fast rising toroidal field. This reduction is accompanied by a current reversal layer which has been detected by direct measurement with a small Rogowski coil. The experimental results are well understood by simple considerations of flux conservation. In this experiment where the safety factor q is always less than 1, the reverse current vanishes soon after the compression phase. If the stability condition q>1 holds, the current reversal layer is expected to remain longer. In order to avoid current reversal, field programming, adapted to the minor (and/or major) radial variation of the column, is necessary.

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