EFFECTS OF IONIZATION AND MAGNETIC INITIAL CONDITIONS ON A MAGNETICALLY COMPRESSED PLASMA (SCYLLA)

Journal Article · Thu Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1961 · Physics of Fluids (U.S.)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1706388· OSTI ID:4047347

Little, E M; Quinn, W E; Ribe, F L

The effects of strong preionization and the application at steady bias magnetic fields on the operation of the Magnetic compression device Scylla are studied. It is shown that both strong preionization and a bias field B/sub o/ antiparallel to the main compression field B/sub z/ are necessary to produce d-d neutrons during the first half-cycle of B/sub z/. Other aspects of the plasma activity are also shown to depend strongly upon the sign of B/sub o/. Application of bias fields with weak preionization leads to production of hard x rays, which occur on the half-cycle of the discharge preceeding that of neutron emission. When hard x rays are produced the plasma is not hydromagnetic. The hard x rays are extinguished when there is strong preionization, leading to a hydromagnetic plasma. In the case of the hydromagnetic plasma it is concluded that the antiparallel B/sub o/ is most effective early in a given half-cycle and affects the plasma primarily during its preheating, ionization phase, rather than during the later adiabatic-compression phase. An interpretation is given in terms of a plasma sheath that has special properties when it separates magnetic fields of opposite signs. (auth)

• Research Organization: Los Alamos Scientific Lab., N. Mex.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-15-021660
• OSTI ID: 4047347
• Journal Information: Physics of Fluids (U.S.), Journal Name: Physics of Fluids (U.S.); ISSN PFLDA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

CONFINEMENT
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
HEATING
IONIZATION
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
NEUTRONS
PHYSICS
PLASMA
PRESSURE
PRODUCTION
SCYLLA
X RADIATION