Rethermalization of a field-reversed configuration plasma in translation experiments

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.871090· OSTI ID:164970

Himura, H; Okada, S; Sugimoto, S; Goto, S ^[1]

---

1. Plasma Physics Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565 (Japan)

A translation experiment of field-reversed configuration (FRC) plasma is performed on the FIX machine [Shiokawa and Goto, Phys. Fluids B {bold 5}, 534 (1993)]. The translated FRC bounces between magnetic mirror fields at both ends of a confinement region. The plasma loses some of its axial kinetic energy when it is reflected by the magnetic mirror field, and eventually settles down in the confinement region. In this reflection process, the plasma temperature rises significantly. Such plasma rethermalization has been observed in OCT-L1 experiments [Ito {ital et} {ital al}., Phys. Fluids {bold 30}, 168 (1987)], but rarely in FRX-C/T experiments [Rej {ital et} {ital al}., Phys. Fluids {bold 29}, 852 (1986)]. It is found that the rethermalization depends on the relation between the plasma temperature and the translation velocity. The rethermalization occurs only in the case where the translation velocity exceeds the sound velocity. This result implies the rethermalization is caused by a shock wave induced within the FRC when the plasma is reflected by the magnetic mirror field. {copyright} {ital 1995} {ital American} {ital Institute} {ital of} {ital Physics}.

• OSTI ID: 164970
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 2; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
COMPACT TORUS
KINETIC ENERGY
MAGNETIC CONFINEMENT
MAGNETIC MIRRORS
PINCH DEVICES
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
PLASMA HEATING
SHOCK WAVES
THERMALIZATION