Application of Computer Programs in the Design of a Fast Reversal Theta-Pinch Experiment

The confinement of plasma in a linear thetapinch should be improved by the application of rapid reversals of the direction of high magnetic fields. In order to create the complex currents for such fields a multiplicity of capacitor banks with greatly different characteristics has to be utilized. The analysis of such a network is complicated furthermore by an important time dependent inductance arising from the motion of the plasma. The system of differential equations for the currents and voltages at the various circuit elements is nonlinear and can only be solved with the aid of computer programs. In an iterative process which compromises the plasma theory requirements and the hardware limitations, an attempt is made to optimize the design of the experiment. A description of this technique, examples for the variation of critical circuit parameters, and a possible design are presented.