Axisymmetric resistive MHD calculations of the HIT experiment plasma

Summary form only given. The details of the formation and subsequent relaxation of the HIT (Helicity Injected Tokamak) plasma have been studied using a resistive MHD (magnetohydrodynamic) code. Initial axisymmetric calculations have been performed using the MACH2 code which includes resistivity and Hall effect terms, thermal conductivity, and radiation losses. The simulation results show that the bias flux is being pushed out from the injector region into the main plasma chamber and forming a poloidal current. After the initial transient, equilibrium flux surfaces begin to form in agreement with magnetic probe data. However the axisymmetric calculations do not allow the plasma to relax to the lowest energy state having substantial toroidal current, as is observed experimentally.