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Effect of anode ring arrangement on the spectroscopic characteristics of the NASA Lewis Bumpy Torus plasma

Conference ·
OSTI ID:4145989
The modified Penning discharge in the NASA Lewis Bumpy Torus is normally produced by an anode ring at high voltage in each of the 12 magnetic mirror midplanes. For this investigation, the plasma was run with 12, 6, 3, and 1 anode rings. When 3 anode rings were used, the spectroscopically determined relative electron density and mean ion residence time increased by factors of 10 and 5, respectively, in one mode of operation. The discharge is observed to uniformly fill all bumps around the torus regardless of the anode arrangement and number. A plasma density on the axis of cm$sup 3$ is estimated for the 3 anode case in one mode of operation based on an observed discharge current to ion loss rate correlation and a measured mean ion residence time of 5 msec. (auth)
Research Organization:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Cleveland, Ohio (USA). Lewis Research Center
NSA Number:
NSA-33-000247
OSTI ID:
4145989
Report Number(s):
N--75-13627; NASA-TM-X--71636; E--8177
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English