Implosion heating studies in the Scylla 1B, implosion heating, and staged theta-pinch experiments

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1975

OSTI ID:4096761

Gribble, R F; Hammel, J E; Henins, I

Three experiments designed to study various aspects of implosion heating in the plasma density range (10$sup 14$ to 10$sup 16$ cm$sup -3$) used in present theta pinches are described. Initial plasma studies show that, provided a sufficiently high pre-ionization level (greater than 10$sup 14$ cm$sup -3$) is achieved, plasma behavior is qualitatively the same over a range of two in initial magnetic field rise and a range of four in initial gas fill. The implosion phase is characterized by rapid changes in magnetic-field diffusion rates, the plasma resistivity decreasing rapidly with time. During the implosion some of the plasma density observed is moving ahead of the magnetic piston. Magnetic-field gradients occur in the region outside the area of measurable plasma density implying the presence of hot, low-density plasma in this region. In experiments where the external magnetic field decreases before the maximum compression of the plasma column, secondary breakdown occurs at the discharge tube wall which slows the rate at which magnetic flux diffuses out of the discharge tube. (auth)

• Research Organization: Los Alamos Scientific Lab., NM
• NSA Number: NSA-33-014405
• OSTI ID: 4096761
• Country of Publication: IAEA
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*SCYLLAC DEVICES-- PLASMA HEATING
700101* --Fusion Energy--Plasma Research--Plasma Confinement & Heating
DIFFUSION
MAGNETIC FIELDS
N70100* --Physics--Controlled Thermonuclear Research-- Confinement & Heating
PLASMA DENSITY
PLASMA DRIFT