poloidaladj.
/pə(ʊ)ˈlɔɪdl/, U.S. /pəˈlɔɪd(ə)l/, /poʊˈlɔɪd(ə)l/ Physics.
Designating a magnetic field of the form associated with a toroidal electric field, in which each line of force is confined to a radial or meridian plane; relating to, representing, or having the shape of such a field.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > electrically induced magnetism > [adjective] > relating to or occurring in a field
motional1879
multipole1929
poloidal1946
space-averaged1946
1946 W. M. Elsasser in Physical Rev. 69 108/1 We shall now introduce names for these three types of vectors. They will be designated as scaloidal (U), toroidal (T), and poloidal (S) vector fields. The electric field and vector potential pertaining to a poloidal magnetic field are toroidal, and vice versa.
1972 Sci. Amer. July 67/3 A toroidal electric field maintains a toroidal current that flows inside the plasma, and this current in turn generates a magnetic-field component that is poloidal.
1993 Jrnl. Plasma Physics 49 55 The transport is enhanced owing to the presence of a poloidal magnetostatic field and in the vicinity of ion-cyclotron resonance.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1946