toroidal field
Quick Summary
A toroidal field is a magnetic field that follows the shape of a torus, like a donut. In physics, this concept is crucial for confining plasma in fusion reactors, such as tokamaks.1
In a tokamak, the magnetic field has two components: a toroidal component that runs the long way around the torus, and a poloidal component that runs the short way. Both are essential for keeping the plasma stable and contained within the reactor. The toroidal field is generated by coils surrounding the vacuum chamber, while the poloidal field is created by an electric current flowing within the plasma itself. This helical magnetic field configuration prevents plasma particles from drifting to the reactor walls.1
A toroid coil is a specific type of coil wound in a helical shape on a ring-shaped core. The principles of magnetic fields generated by electric currents, as described by the Biot-Savart law, are fundamental to understanding how these toroidal fields are created and behave.23
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nuclear fusionMagnetic confinementA tokamak is a toroidal magnetic confinement system in which the plasma is kept stable both by an externally generated, doughnut-shaped magnetic field and by electric currents flowing within the plasma. Since the late 1960s the tokamak has been the major focus of magnetic fusion research worldwide, though other…
Read MoreA tokamak is a toroidal magnetic confinement system in which the plasma is kept stable both by an externally generated, doughnut-shaped magnetic field and by electric currents flowing within the plasma. Since the late 1960s the tokamak has been the major focus of magnetic fusion research worldwide, though other…
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fusion reactorToroidal confinement…has two components: (1) a toroidal component, which points the long way around the torus, and (2) a poloidal component directed the short way around the machine. Both components are necessary for the plasma to be in stable equilibrium. If the poloidal field were zero, so that the field lines…
Read More…has two components: (1) a toroidal component, which points the long way around the torus, and (2) a poloidal component directed the short way around the machine. Both components are necessary for the plasma to be in stable equilibrium. If the poloidal field were zero, so that the field lines…
Read More