Quest: a quasi-equilibrium transport code for high-beta systems. Memorandum report

This report describes the quasi-equilibrium compression and transport code, QUEST. The code is designed to study diffusion, thermal conduction, and ohmic and compressional heating in high-beta plasma systems (beta = ratio of plasma pressure to magnetic field pressure). These systems include Z-pinches, theta pinches, belt pinches and reversed field configurations. The code allows variations only in the radial direction and operates on a slow (diffusion and compression) time scale so that pressure balance is maintained. The conducting wall at the outer boundary of the system can be moved arbitrarily to simulate plasma compression produced by an imploding liner. This report also provides instructions on the use of the code, including a listing and sample input and output for verification.