Toroidal equilibria in spherical coordinates

Abstract

The standard Grad-Shafranov equation for axisymmetric toroidal plasma equilibrium is customary expressed in cylindrical coordinates with toroidal contours, and through which benchmark equilibria are solved. An alternative approach to cast the Grad-Shafranov equation in spherical coordinates is presented. This equation, in spherical coordinates, is examined for toroidal solutions to describe low $\beta$ Solovev and high $\beta$ plasma equilibria in terms of elementary functions.