T. P. Intrator
Current Organizations / Institutes
The organizations/institutes from the scholar's latest article
Research Subjects
T. P. Intrator has a total of 75 co-authors. Here are the top co-authors by number of shared publications:
L. Dorf
Applied Materials, Inc., Santa Clara, CA 95054 2 , USA
5 shared publications- Glen Anthony Wurden
Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, United States of America
3 shared publications A. G. Lynn
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, USA
2 shared publicationsC. Grabowski
SAIC, Albuquerque, USA
2 shared publicationsD. D. Ryutov
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Livermore California USA
2 shared publicationsE. L. Ruden
Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, NM, USA
2 shared publications
Latest Publications
- 6 August 2014
- Published by IOP Publishing in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
- Vol. 56 (9)
Flux rope dynamics in three dimensions
- 6 August 2014
- Published by IOP Publishing in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
- Vol. 56 (9)
Flux rope dynamics in three dimensions
- 1 April 2014
- Published by AIP Publishing in Physics of Plasmas
- Vol. 21 (4) , 042109
Laboratory observation of magnetic field growth driven by shear flow
Two magnetic flux ropes that collide and bounce have been characterized in the laboratory. We find screw pinch profiles that include ion flow , magnetic field , current density , and plasma pressure. The electron flow can be inferred, allowing the evaluation of the Hall term in a two fluid magnetohydrodynamic Ohm's Law. Flux ropes that are initially cylindrical are mutually attracted and compress each other, which distorts the cylindrical symmetry. Magnetic field is created via the induction term in Ohm's Law where in-plane (perpendicular) shear of parallel flow (along the flux rope) is the dominant feature, along with some dissipation and magnetic reconnection. We predict and measure the growth of a quadrupole out-of-plane magnetic field δBz. This is a simple and coherent example of a shear flow driven dynamo. There is some similarity with two dimensional reconnection scenarios, which induce a current sheet and thus out-of-plane flow in the third dimension, despite the customary picture that considers flows only in the reconnection plane. These data illustrate a general and deterministic mechanism for large scale sheared flows to acquire smaller scale magnetic features, disordered structure, and possibly turbulence.- 1 April 2014
- Published by AIP Publishing in Physics of Plasmas
- Vol. 21 (4) , 042109
Laboratory observation of magnetic field growth driven by shear flow
Two magnetic flux ropes that collide and bounce have been characterized in the laboratory. We find screw pinch profiles that include ion flow , magnetic field , current density , and plasma pressure. The electron flow can be inferred, allowing the evaluation of the Hall term in a two fluid magnetohydrodynamic Ohm's Law. Flux ropes that are initially cylindrical are mutually attracted and compress each other, which distorts the cylindrical symmetry. Magnetic field is created via the induction term in Ohm's Law where in-plane (perpendicular) shear of parallel flow (along the flux rope) is the dominant feature, along with some dissipation and magnetic reconnection. We predict and measure the growth of a quadrupole out-of-plane magnetic field δBz. This is a simple and coherent example of a shear flow driven dynamo. There is some similarity with two dimensional reconnection scenarios, which induce a current sheet and thus out-of-plane flow in the third dimension, despite the customary picture that considers flows only in the reconnection plane. These data illustrate a general and deterministic mechanism for large scale sheared flows to acquire smaller scale magnetic features, disordered structure, and possibly turbulence.- 15 November 2008
- Published by Springer Nature in Journal of Fusion Energy
- Vol. 28 (2) , 165-169
Field Reversed Configuration Translation and the Magnetized Target Fusion Collaboration
- 15 November 2008
- Published by Springer Nature in Journal of Fusion Energy
- Vol. 28 (2) , 165-169
Field Reversed Configuration Translation and the Magnetized Target Fusion Collaboration
- 27 July 2007
- Published by Springer Nature in Journal of Fusion Energy
- Vol. 27 (1-2) , 57-60
Physics Basis and Progress for a Translating FRC for MTF
- 27 July 2007
- Published by Springer Nature in Journal of Fusion Energy
- Vol. 27 (1-2) , 57-60
Physics Basis and Progress for a Translating FRC for MTF
- Open Access
- 12 May 2007
- Published by American Geophysical Union (AGU) in Journal of Geophysical Research
- Vol. 112 (A5)
Long‐lifetime current‐driven rotating kink modes in a non‐line‐tied plasma column with a free end
We show the first experimental evidence for a magnetohydrodynamic kink instability in a current rope with one end that is free to move. This free end is partially insulated by sheath resistivity, so that the usual frozen in flux assumption for magnetohydrodynamics is violated in this region. The free end is therefore not line‐tied to the axial boundary. We find the instability threshold is well below the classical Kruskal‐Shafranov threshold, culminating in a long‐lifetime saturated state. The presence of an axial flow further lowers the kink threshold and gives rise to a doppler‐shifted frequency from rotation of the kink, where the eigenfunction is axially pushed in the flow direction. This lowered threshold may give rise to kink instabilities in situations with small magnetic twist that would otherwise be considered stable. Striking agreement with a theoretical analysis is demonstrated. The existence of a free end may be important for open flux tubes attached to the Sun, galactic jets associated with accretion discs, and spheromak startup.
- 12 May 2007
- Published by American Geophysical Union (AGU) in Journal of Geophysical Research
- Vol. 112 (A5)
Open AccessLong‐lifetime current‐driven rotating kink modes in a non‐line‐tied plasma column with a free end
We show the first experimental evidence for a magnetohydrodynamic kink instability in a current rope with one end that is free to move. This free end is partially insulated by sheath resistivity, so that the usual frozen in flux assumption for magnetohydrodynamics is violated in this region. The free end is therefore not line‐tied to the axial boundary. We find the instability threshold is well below the classical Kruskal‐Shafranov threshold, culminating in a long‐lifetime saturated state. The presence of an axial flow further lowers the kink threshold and gives rise to a doppler‐shifted frequency from rotation of the kink, where the eigenfunction is axially pushed in the flow direction. This lowered threshold may give rise to kink instabilities in situations with small magnetic twist that would otherwise be considered stable. Striking agreement with a theoretical analysis is demonstrated. The existence of a free end may be important for open flux tubes attached to the Sun, galactic jets associated with accretion discs, and spheromak startup.
- 1 February 2007
- Published by AIP Publishing in Physics of Plasmas
- Vol. 14 (2) , 022103
Effects of boundary conditions and flow on the kink instability in a cylindrical plasma column
An experimental investigation of the kink instability is presented in a linear plasma column where one end is line-tied to the plasma source, and the other end is not line-tied and therefore free to slide over the surface of the end-plate. This latter boundary condition is a result of plasma sheath resistance that insulates, at least partially, the plasma from the end-plate. The helical kink mode is observed to grow when the plasma current exceeds a threshold and, close to the criticality, is characterized by an axial mode structure with maximum displacement at the free axial boundary. Azimuthal rotation of the mode is observed such that the helically kinked column always screws into the free axial boundary. The kink mode structure, rotation frequency and instability threshold are accurately reproduced by a recent kink theory [D. D. Ryutov et al., Phys. Plasmas 13, 032105 (2006)], which includes axial plasma flow and one end of the plasma column that is free to move due to a perfect non line-tying boundary condition which is experimentally verified. A brief review of the kink theory and its predictions for the boundary conditions relevant in the present experiments are presented.- 1 February 2007
- Published by AIP Publishing in Physics of Plasmas
- Vol. 14 (2) , 022103
Effects of boundary conditions and flow on the kink instability in a cylindrical plasma column
An experimental investigation of the kink instability is presented in a linear plasma column where one end is line-tied to the plasma source, and the other end is not line-tied and therefore free to slide over the surface of the end-plate. This latter boundary condition is a result of plasma sheath resistance that insulates, at least partially, the plasma from the end-plate. The helical kink mode is observed to grow when the plasma current exceeds a threshold and, close to the criticality, is characterized by an axial mode structure with maximum displacement at the free axial boundary. Azimuthal rotation of the mode is observed such that the helically kinked column always screws into the free axial boundary. The kink mode structure, rotation frequency and instability threshold are accurately reproduced by a recent kink theory [D. D. Ryutov et al., Phys. Plasmas 13, 032105 (2006)], which includes axial plasma flow and one end of the plasma column that is free to move due to a perfect non line-tying boundary condition which is experimentally verified. A brief review of the kink theory and its predictions for the boundary conditions relevant in the present experiments are presented.- 1 September 2004
- Published by Springer Nature in Journal of Fusion Energy
- Vol. 23 (3) , 175-182
Summary of US–Japan Exchange 2004: New Directions and Physics for Compact Toroids
- 1 September 2004
- Published by Springer Nature in Journal of Fusion Energy
- Vol. 23 (3) , 175-182
Summary of US–Japan Exchange 2004: New Directions and Physics for Compact Toroids
- 1 February 2002
- Published by IOP Publishing in Nuclear Fusion
- Vol. 42 (2) , 211-222
Experimental measurements of a converging flux conserver suitable for compressing a field reversed configuration for magnetized target fusion
Data are presented that are part of a first step in establishing the scientific basis of magnetized target fusion (MTF) as a cost effective approach to fusion energy. A radially converging flux compressor shell with characteristics suitable for MTF is demonstrated to be feasible. The key scientific and engineering question for this experiment is whether the large radial force density required to uniformly pinch this cylindrical shell would do so without buckling or kinking its shape. The time evolution of the shell has been measured with several independent diagnostic methods. The uniformity, height to diameter ratio and radial convergence are all better than required to compress a high density field reversed configuration to fusion relevant temperature and density.
- 1 February 2002
- Published by IOP Publishing in Nuclear Fusion
- Vol. 42 (2) , 211-222
Experimental measurements of a converging flux conserver suitable for compressing a field reversed configuration for magnetized target fusion
Data are presented that are part of a first step in establishing the scientific basis of magnetized target fusion (MTF) as a cost effective approach to fusion energy. A radially converging flux compressor shell with characteristics suitable for MTF is demonstrated to be feasible. The key scientific and engineering question for this experiment is whether the large radial force density required to uniformly pinch this cylindrical shell would do so without buckling or kinking its shape. The time evolution of the shell has been measured with several independent diagnostic methods. The uniformity, height to diameter ratio and radial convergence are all better than required to compress a high density field reversed configuration to fusion relevant temperature and density.