Magnetohydrodynamics
Developing advanced theoretical and computational models to improve understanding of plasma equilibrium, stability, magnetic island dynamics, and X-point effects in fusion devices.
Research in this area includes: (i) reactor-relevant asymptotic solutions for stellarator equilibria; (ii) nonlinear low-order model for macroscopic dynamics based on the asymptotic matching of resonant and non-resonant plasma response; and (iii) X-point effects on equilibrium and stability. Specific research goals include the application of the recently upgraded TJ Code to study the tearing stability of a tokamak plasmas. Calculation of the critical island width for electron temperature flattening in a plasma of arbitrary collisionality. Develop a WKB solution for the wake field that can be integrated analytically. Study X-point effects on ideal MHD modes in tokamaks.