Optimizing hot-ion production from a gas-injected washer gun

Journal Article · Sun Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · J. Appl. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.338072· OSTI ID:6833716

McCarrick, M J; Ellis, R F; Booske, J H; Koepke, M

This paper reports the results of a study to maximize the ion temperature of the plasma generated by a gas-injected washer gun. We characterize the gun discharge and the plasma output as a function of the controllable gun parameters. For hydrogen we find a maximum ion temperature of 100 eV with typical densities ranging from 2 x 10/sup 11/ to 5 x 10/sup 12/ cm/sup -3/. A primary feature of the pulsed gun discharge is the observation of large amplitude rf fluctuations on the cathode voltage. The fluctuation amplitude varies with discharge current and with the quantity of injected gas. We show that the scaling of the fluctuation level with gun parameters is in agreement with that expected of an unstable beam-plasma system. We find a linear relation between the square of the fluctuation amplitude and the product of the plasma density times the ion temperature of the plasma output nT/sub i/, suggesting a stochastic wave-induced heating mechanism.

• Research Organization: Laboratory for Plasma and Fusion Energy Studies, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742
• OSTI ID: 6833716
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 61:5; ISSN JAPIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700101* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Confinement
Heating
& Production
700205 -- Fusion Power Plant Technology-- Fuel
Heating
& Injection Systems
BEAM-PLASMA SYSTEMS
CATHODES
ELECTRODES
FLUCTUATIONS
FLUID INJECTION
GAS INJECTION
INSTABILITY
ION SOURCES
ION TEMPERATURE
PLASMA GUNS
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MICROINSTABILITIES
PLASMA PRODUCTION
PLASMA WAVES
VARIATIONS