Utilization of O-X-B mode conversion of 28 GHz microwaves to heat core electrons in the upgraded Proto-MPEX

Biewer, T. M.; Lau, C.; Bigelow, T. S.; Caneses, J. F.; Caughman, J. B.  O.; Goulding, R. H.; Kafle, N.; Kaufman, M. C.; Rapp, J.

doi:10.1063/1.5093321

Utilization of O-X-B mode conversion of 28 GHz microwaves to heat core electrons in the upgraded Proto-MPEX

Journal Article · Mon May 20 00:00:00 EDT 2019 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5093321· OSTI ID:1515670

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Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States)

The magnetic geometry of the Prototype Material Plasma Exposure eXperiment (Proto-MPEX) was recently altered to enable more effective utilization of 28 GHz microwave auxiliary power, specifically: (1) to heat plasma electrons in the radial core of the device and (2) to deliver the heated plasma to the target plate of the device. To achieve this goal, the microwave launcher geometry and placement were significantly re-engineered, guided by previous experimental results and computational modeling. The core electron temperature in the launcher region is observed to increase from 3 eV to 11 eV with 30 kW of auxiliary power after the improvements, and an increase from 3 eV to 6 eV is concurrently measured in the target region (~1 m from the launcher) at electron density above O-mode cutoff. Radially resolved measurements in the launcher region exhibit a strong dependence on the magnetic geometry. The conclusions of a magnetic field scan reinforce the effectiveness of the intended O-X-B mode conversion scenario that is currently planned for microwave heating of the Material Plasma Exposure eXperiment (MPEX).

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE; USDOE Office of Science (SC)

Contributing Organization:: Proto-MPEX Team

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-00OR22725

OSTI ID:: 1515670

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1514744

Journal Information:: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 26; ISSN 1070-664X

Publisher:: American Institute of Physics (AIP)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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