Experimental study of the hot electron plasma equilibrium in a minimum-B magnetic mirror

Journal Article · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Phys Fluids B; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.859121· OSTI ID:6526333

Chen, X; Lane, B G; Smatlak, D L; Post, R S; Hokin, S A

The Constance B mirror (in Plasma Physics and Controlled Nuclear Fusion Research 1984 (IAEA, Vienna, 1985), Vol. II, p. 285) is a single cell quadrupole magnetic mirror in which high-beta (typically 0.3), hot electron plasmas (T/sub e/approx. =400 keV) are created with up to 4 kW of fundamental electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH). Details of the plasma equilibrium profile are quantitatively determined by fitting model plasma pressure profiles to the data from four complementary measurements: diamagnetic loops and magnetic probes, x-ray pinhole cameras, visible light TV cameras, and thermocouple probes. The experimental analysis shows that the equilibrium pressure profile of an ECRH generated plasma in a baseball magnetic mirror is hollow and the plasma is concentrated along a baseball-seam-shaped curve. The hollowness of the hot electron density profile is 50% +- 10%. The baseball-seam-shaped equilibrium profile coincides with the drift orbit of deeply trapped electrons in the quadrupole mirror field. Particle drift reversal is predicted to occur for the model pressure profile that best fits the experimental data under the typical operating conditions.

• Research Organization: Plasma Fusion Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
• OSTI ID: 6526333
• Journal Information: Phys Fluids B; (United States), Journal Name: Phys Fluids B; (United States) Vol. 1:3; ISSN PFBPE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700101* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Confinement
Heating
& Production
ECR HEATING
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
EQUILIBRIUM
FERMIONS
HEATING
HIGH-FREQUENCY HEATING
HOT PLASMA
LEPTONS
LOW-BETA PLASMA
MAGNETIC MIRRORS
MULTIPOLES
OPEN PLASMA DEVICES
PLASMA
PLASMA HEATING
QUADRUPOLES
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES