Simulations of extended MHD Turbulence and Sheared flows in the Helimak Configuration

We investigate the interaction of sheared plasma flows with the ambient turbulence in the Helimak configuration using a magnetohydrodynamic slab model that captures most of the important features present in the Helimak device at the University of Texas. We report 2D and fully 3D nonlinear simulations using magnetic and flow profiles based on experimental data. The experiment is well modeled as a bounded magnetized jet. The extended MHD model includes a gravitational term to account for magnetic field curvature drifts. Important features of the code include the presence of walls, resistivity and viscosity. The nonlinear development of various disturbances will be discussed. Preliminary results show that as the linear modes attain finite amplitude, there is considerable development of multiscale plasma excitation.