Near-ideal relaxed MHD in slab geometry

We investigate the solutions of the relaxed magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model (RxMHD) of R. Dewar and Z. Qu. This model generalizes Taylor relaxation by including the ideal Ohm's law constraint using an augmented Lagrangian method, providing a pathway to extend the multi-region relaxed MHD (MRxMHD) model. We present the first numerical solution of the RxMHD model by Dewar and Qu, demonstrating that it is mathematically well-defined and computationally feasible for constructing MHD equilibria in slab geometry. We also show that a cross-field flow can exist without enforcing an arbitrary constraint on the angular momentum, as is done in the case of MRxMHD with flow. Our results also demonstrate the self-organization of fully relaxed regions during the optimization, which was an important motivation behind developing this model.. Authors: Tavassoli, Arash [Australian National University, Acton, ACT (Australia)] (ORCID:0000000180914520); Hudson, Stuart R. [Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States)] (ORCID:0000000315302733); Qu, Zhisong [Nanyang Technological University (Singapore)] (ORCID:0000000346286983); Hole, Matthew [Australian National University, Acton, ACT (Australia)] (ORCID:0000000295508776). DOE Contract: AC02-09CH11466. Subjects: 70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY