Numerical Simulations and Theoretical Studies of the Plasma Dynamo and Couette Flow Experiment

等离子体发电机和库埃特流实验的数值模拟和理论研究

• 批准号: 0903926
• 负责人: Fatima Ebrahimi
• 金额: $ 29.53万
• 依托单位: University of Wisconsin-Madison
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2009
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2009-08-01 至 2009-10-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0903926&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Numerical; Simulations; Theoretical; Studies; Plasma

This award funds research to carry out numerical simulations in support of Plasma Dynamo and Couette Flow experiments. A Plasma Couette experiment, the first of its kind, has been constructed to study Magnetorotational Instability (MRI) in a hot, unmagnetized and fast flowing plasma. Plasma is confined by a strong multipole magnetic field at the plasma surface. The goals of the experiment are to study the MRI and possible self-generation of magnetic field by MRI-driven turbulence at high magnetic Reynolds numbers (the regime applicable to astrophysical plasmas). If successful, the concept could be readily extended to a larger, plasma-based dynamo experiment, studying the self-generation of magnetic field (MHD dynamo) but through hydrodynamic-driven turbulence in a confined plasma. Numerical modeling and theoretical studies are crucial for advancing the understanding of these two experiments and assuring their ultimate success. Numerical simulations using the extended MHD code, NIMROD, will be done and the numerical results will be directly compared with the experimental measurements. Numerical simulations are also expected to provide a guidance for the experimental design.The proposed simulations with NIMROD code would strongly benefit the validation of a code, NIMROD, extensively used by the Magnetic Fusion community. In addition, the Magneto-rotational Instability (MRI) is thought to play a vital role in many astrophysical settings. Thus it is essential to have a line of physical experiments and computational models carried out that can test, guide and perhaps challenge many of the precepts now being applied in theoretical models with regard to MRI. This proposal was submitted to the NSF-DoE Partnership in Plasma Science and Engineering joint solicitation 08-589. This award is being funded jointly by the Divisions of Physics and Astronomical Sciences of the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate.

该奖项为进行数值模拟提供了资金，以支持血浆发电机和COUETTE流实验。血浆couette实验是其中的第一个实验，它是在热，未磁化和快速流动的血浆中研究磁化不稳定性（MRI）的。等离子体在等离子体表面的强多极磁场限制。该实验的目标是通过高磁性雷诺数（适用于天体物理等离子体）的MRI驱动湍流来研究MRI和可能通过MRI驱动的湍流对磁场的自发产生。如果成功的话，该概念很容易扩展到基于等离子体的较大的发电机实验，研究磁场的自我生成（MHD Dyn​​amo），但是通过限制性等离子体中的流体动力驱动的湍流。数值建模和理论研究对于促进对这两个实验的理解并确保其最终成功至关重要。 使用扩展MHD代码Nimrod的数值模拟将进行，并将数值结果直接与实验测量结果进行比较。预计数值模拟还可以为实验设计提供指导。使用Nimrod代码的拟议模拟将有力地有助于磁性融合社区广泛使用的代码验证。此外，磁旋转不稳定（MRI）被认为在许多天体物理环境中起着至关重要的作用。因此，必须进行一系列物理实验和计算模型，这些实验和计算模型可以测试，指导甚至挑战现在在MRI的理论模型中应用的许多戒律。该提案已提交给NSF-DOE合作伙伴，用于等离子体科学与工程联合招标08-589。该奖项由数学和物理科学局的物理学和天文科学的划分共同资助。