Confinement of multiply charged ions in an electron cyclotron resonance heated mirror plasma

Journal Article · Fri Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1991 · Physics of Fluids B; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.859867· OSTI ID:5862660

Petty, C C; Goodman, D L; Smatlak, D L; Smith, D K ^[1]

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1. Plasma Fusion Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 (US)

Multiply charged ions are studied in the Constance B quadrupole mirror experiment (Phys. Rev. Lett. {bold 59}, 1821 (1987)) in order to better understand the ion physics of electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) high charge-state ion sources. By measuring the ion densities and end loss fluxes, the parallel confinement times for the first five charge states of oxygen plasmas are determined. The parallel ion confinement times increase with charge state and peak on axis, both indications of an ion-confining potential dip created by the hot electrons. The radial profile of ion end loss is normally hollow, with the peak fluxes occurring at the edge of the ECR zone. An attempt is made to increase the end loss flux of a selected ion species by decreasing its parallel confinement time using minority ion cyclotron resonance heating (ICRH). In addition, an ion model is developed to predict the ion densities, end loss fluxes, and confinement times using the ion particle balance equations, the quasineutrality condition, and theoretical confinement time formulas. The model generally agrees with the experimental data to within experimental error.

• DOE Contract Number: AC02-78ET51013
• OSTI ID: 5862660
• Journal Information: Physics of Fluids B; (USA), Vol. 3:3; ISSN 0899-8221
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
LOW-BETA PLASMA
ION SOURCES
MAGNETIC MIRRORS
ECR HEATING
CHARGE STATE
END EFFECTS
ION DENSITY
OXYGEN
PARTICLE LOSSES
PLASMA CONFINEMENT
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
PLASMA SIMULATION
QUADRUPOLES
CONFINEMENT
ELEMENTS
HEATING
HIGH-FREQUENCY HEATING
MULTIPOLES
NONMETALS
OPEN PLASMA DEVICES
PLASMA
PLASMA HEATING
SIMULATION
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
700102* - Fusion Energy- Plasma Research- Diagnostics
700101 - Fusion Energy- Plasma Research- Confinement
Heating
& Production