New method for inductively forming an oblate field reversed configuration from a spheromak

A new method for inductively forming a field reversed configuration is demonstrated, based on the inductively driven transformation of a spheromak. The driven transition can be achieved in argon and krypton plasmas, in which MHD modes are suppressed; simulations indicate that stability through the transition is explained by magnetic diffusion. Spheromaks with lighter working gas, such as neon and helium, either display a tilt mode or an n = 2 kink instability, both resulting in discharge termination.