Non-axisymmetric magnetohydrodynamic equilibrium and stability in an axisymmetric toroidal device

This paper is dedicated to studying the radial broadening of helical states embedded in three-dimensional nonlinear magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equilibria in an axisymmetric toroidal device. The stability of these helical equilibria is estimated by analyzing global MHD stability. An equilibrium bifurcation can develop a non-axisymmetric configuration with a helical core encompassed by an axis-symmetric plasma edge when the amplitude of an innermost magnetic helicity exceeds that of the primary axisymmetric magnetic component. It is found that internal negative magnetic shear drives the increase of the helicity and the decrease of the axisymmetric component via triple-mode nonlinear interactions, which induces the helical core to broaden radially. The helical structure mainly rests within the domain where the helicity is larger than the axisymmetric mode. Meanwhile, chaotic fields are generated outside the region predicted by the multi-region relaxed MHD model. Furthermore, the global stability analysis reveals that the helical equilibria are stabilized with flat or weak negative magnetic shear at the plasma core. As the core negative magnetic shear becomes significant, the helical equilibria become destabilized by kink modes even though the helical structure extends radially further out. This work is of importance and interest for reversed-field pinch plasma to reach steady quasi-single-helicity states.