RF startup in the Phaedrus and Phaedrus-B tandem mirrors

Thesis/Dissertation · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:7020704

Goulding, R H

A new method for producing plasma buildup in a tandem mirror was developed. A cold (T/sub c/ less than or equal to 12eV), low-density (n less than or equal to 4 x 10/sup 11/ cm/sup -3/) plasma was produced initially in the central cell, using ECH to break down neutral gas puffed in through a gas box located at the cell midplane. The plasma density and energy were then built up using ICRF heating, with final densities as high as 10/sup 13/ cm/sup -3/ being achieved by this method. The technique was successfully employed for buildup of plasma columns stabilized with minimum-(B) anchors as well as plasma columns stabilized by ponderomotive force generated by the ICRF. The plasma buildup under the influence of the ICRF heating was investigated. It was found that direct electron heating by the ICRF played a crucial role. It was also determined that ECH-generated hot electrons were not required for successful plasma buildup. An important finding was that the buildup was inhibited or totally prevented when the initial electron temperature was too low. This condition occurred at high neutral pressure levels, or low ECH power levels. The STARTUP point code was created to model the ICRF-induced plasma buildup.

• Research Organization: Wisconsin Univ., Madison (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7020704
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
PLASMA PRODUCTION
TANDEM MIRRORS
COLD PLASMA
ECR HEATING
ICR HEATING
PLASMA DENSITY
STABILIZATION
HEATING
HIGH-FREQUENCY HEATING
MAGNETIC MIRRORS
OPEN PLASMA DEVICES
PLASMA
PLASMA HEATING
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
700101* - Fusion Energy- Plasma Research- Confinement
Heating
& Production