Axial laser heating of three meter theta pinch plasma columns

Journal Article · Wed Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1980 · Phys. Fluids; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.862894· OSTI ID:6821891

Hoffman, A L; Lowenthal, D D

A 3 m long plasma column formed and confined by a fast rising solenoidal field was irradiated from one end by a powerful pulsed CO/sub 2/ laser. It was found that beam trapping density minima could be maintained for the length of the laser pulse if the plasma diameter exceeded about 1.5 cm. The erosion of the density minimum was governed by classical diffusion processes. Three meter long plasmas in 2.6 cm bore plasma tubes could be fairly uniformly heated by 3.0 kJ of CO/sub 2/ laser irradiation. Best results were obtained when heating began before or during the theta pinch implosion phase and the plasma fill pressure exceeded 1.0 Torr H/sub 2/. Plasma line energies of about 1 kJ/m could be obtained in a magnetic field rising to 6 T in 4.7 ..mu..sec.

• Research Organization: Mathematical Sciences Northwest, Inc., Bellevue, Washington 98004
• OSTI ID: 6821891
• Journal Information: Phys. Fluids; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Fluids; (United States) Vol. 23:10; ISSN PFLDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700101* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Confinement
Heating
& Production
BEAM-PLASMA SYSTEMS
C CODES
CAPACITORS
CARBON DIOXIDE LASERS
COHERENT SCATTERING
COMPUTER CODES
D CODES
DIAMAGNETISM
DIFFRACTION
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRON TEMPERATURE
ENERGY DENSITY
EQUIPMENT
FLUID MECHANICS
GAS LASERS
HEATING
HYDRODYNAMICS
INTERFEROMETRY
LASER-RADIATION HEATING
LASERS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETISM
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MECHANICS
ONE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
PINCH EFFECT
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
PLASMA HEATING
PROBES
SCATTERING
THETA PINCH