Analysis of visible light images from a fast-gated intensified charge coupled device camera during flux rope interaction and magnetic reconnection
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, M.S. E526, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545 (United States)
We present the experimental setup and analysis of visible light images from a fast double-gated intensified charge coupled device (CCD) camera currently being used on the reconnection scaling experiment (RSX) at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. In RSX, externally driven free-boundary flux ropes are generated for magnetic reconnection studies in collisional plasma. Time-resolved images of flux rope interaction on submicrosecond time scales are achieved through the use of a microchannel plate intensified CCD camera and are shown to be consistent with probe measurements of plasma pressure and magnetic structure. High experimental repeatability allows plasma evolution to be displayed and measured from images taken over hundreds of RSX discharges to elucidate flux rope interaction dynamics. Peak-intensity fit algorithms extrapolate rope separation and two-dimensional rope velocities from images in agreement with probe data. First glimpses of two flux ropes that twist and merge are presented.
- OSTI ID:
- 20641244
- Journal Information:
- Review of Scientific Instruments, Vol. 75, Issue 10; Conference: 15. topical conference on high temperature plasma diagnostics, San Diego, CA (United States), 19-22 Apr 2004; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.1787169; (c) 2004 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0034-6748
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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