STUDIES OF PLASMA HEATED IN A FAST-RISING AXIAL MAGNETIC FIELD (SCYLLA)

Journal Article · Mon Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1960 · Physical Review (U.S.) Superseded in part by Phys. Rev. A, Phys. Rev. B: Solid State, Phys. Rev. C, and Phys. Rev. D

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.119.831· OSTI ID:4164810

Boyer, K; Elmore, W C; Little, E M; Quinn, W E; Tuck, J L

The Scylla plasma experiment, which employs a rapidly rising magnetic field in a cylindrical mirror geometry to prcduce and heat a deuterium plasma, is described. Experimental studies of the reproducible neutron emission from the hot plasma show that the neutrons are emitted (1) in a symmetrical, bell-shaped time distribution centered on the maximum of the magnetic field, (2) from a limited region with a 2 cm axial length and a 1.5 cm diaraeter centered in the compression coll, and (3) in the radial direction with a narrow spread of energies and no significant anisotropy. The time distribution of the neutron emission is shown to be in agreement with a thermonuclear yield curve calculated for an adiabatic compression by the observed magnetic field. The neutron yield was studied as a function of deuterium pressure, capacitor-bank voltage, and nitrogen impurity. Observations of the space-time distribution of the visible light emission with a streak camera show that a strong radial "shcck" occurs at the beginning of the second half-cycle, very little light is emitted from the plasma "fireball" during the time of neutron emission, and an intense luminous flux is produced during the later stages of the discharge. The energy absorbed in each half-cycle of the dischange by the gas is presented as calculated from the incremental damping of the driving magnetic field. Observations of hard x- ray emission ( approximately 200 kev) at times of maximum dB/dt for operating pressures in the 5 to 50 micron range are contrasted with the characteristics of the neutron emission in regard to time distribution, pressure, impurities, and rf pre-excitation. Magnetic probe studies of the Scylla discharge are reported and evidence is given that the perturbing effects of the probe dominate the plasma temperature. (auth)

• Research Organization: Los Alamos Scientific Lab., N. Mex.
• NSA Number: NSA-14-022493
• OSTI ID: 4164810
• Journal Information: Physical Review (U.S.) Superseded in part by Phys. Rev. A, Phys. Rev. B: Solid State, Phys. Rev. C, and Phys. Rev. D, Vol. Vol: 119; Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-60
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

PHYSICS
ABSORPTION
ANGULAR DISTRIBUTION
ANISOTROPY
CAMERAS
CAPACITORS
COILS
CONFINEMENT
CYLINDERS
DENSITY
DEUTERIUM
DISTRIBUTION
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
EMISSION
ENERGY
GASES
HEATING
IMPURITIES
INDUCTION
ISOTROPY
LIGHT
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC MIRRORS
MEASURED VALUES
NEUTRONS
NITROGEN
PHOTOGRAPHY
PINCH
PLASMA
PRESSURE
PROBES
SCHLIEREN
SCYLLA
SHOCK WAVES
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
THERMONUCLEAR REACTIONS
VARIATIONS
X RADIATION