Wave propagation downstream of a high power helicon in a dipolelike magnetic field

Journal Article · Fri Jan 15 00:00:00 EST 2010 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3299347· OSTI ID:21344675

Prager, James; Winglee, Robert; Roberson, B Race ^[1]; Ziemba, Timothy ^[2]

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1. Department of Earth and Space Science, University of Washington, Johnson Hall Rm-070, Box 351310, 4000 15th Avenue NE, Seattle, Washington 98195-1310 (United States)
2. Eagle Harbor Technologies, Inc., Suite D3 179, 321 Highschool RD NE, Bainbridge Island, Washington 98110-1697 (United States)

The wave propagating downstream of a high power helicon source in a diverging magnetic field was investigated experimentally. The magnetic field of the wave has been measured both axially and radially. The three-dimensional structure of the propagating wave is observed and its wavelength and phase velocity are determined. The measurements are compared to predictions from helicon theory and that of a freely propagating whistler wave. The implications of this work on the helicon as a thruster are also discussed.

• OSTI ID: 21344675
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 17, Issue 1; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.3299347; (c) 2010 American Institute of Physics; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
PHASE VELOCITY
PLASMA WAVES
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
WAVE PROPAGATION
WAVELENGTHS
WHISTLERS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FLUID MECHANICS
HYDRODYNAMICS
MECHANICS
NOISE
RADIATIONS
RADIO NOISE
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
VELOCITY