Experimental Observations of Rotamak Equilibria

Some experimental observations of rotamak equilibria made in a high-power, short-duration (∼80-μs) experiment and a complementary low-power, long-duration experiment are summarized. In the high-power experiment two possible equilibrium phases have been identified: an oblate, compact torus configuration and a $\beta =1\mathrm{}$, mirrorlike configuration. In the low-power experiment toroidal plasma current has been driven, and a compact torus configuration has been maintained, for several milliseconds.