Magnetohydrodynamic simulations of Gamble I POS with Hall effect

Abstract

Two-dimensional single-fluid magnetohydrodynamic simulations have been conducted to investigate the effects of the Hall electric field on magnetic field transport in plasma opening switches of the type used on GAMBLE I. The Hall terms were included in the magnetic field transport equation in the two-dimensional simulation code MACH2 through the use of a generalized Ohm's law. Calculations show that the Hall terms augment the field transport previously observed to occur through ion fluid motion and diffusion. For modest values of microturbulent collision frequency, broad current channels were observed. Results also show the magnetic field transport to be affected by the cathode boundary conditions with the Hall terms included. In all cases, center-of-mass motion was slight.<>