Fivefold confinement time increase in the Madison Symmetric Torus using inductive poloidal current drive

Current profile control has been employed in the Madison Symmetric Torus reversed field pinch to reduce the magnetic fluctuations responsible for anomalous transport. An inductive poloidal electric-field pulse has been applied to flatten the parallel current profile, thus reducing the dynamo fluctuation amplitude required to sustain equilibrium. This technique demonstrated a substantial reduction in fluctuation amplitude and improvement in energy confinement. Particle confinement improved and plasma impurity contamination has been reduced.