Plasma potential enhancement by waves in the ion cyclotron range of frequencies

Journal Article · Sun Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1992 · Physics of Fluids B; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.860374· OSTI ID:6946498

Nelson, B A; Hershkowitz, N ^[1]

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1. Department of Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706 (United States)

Measured ion-confining potentials in a tandem mirror (using only power in the ion cyclotron range of frequencies to form and sustain the plasma) are found to be larger than those predicted by the Boltzmann relation. The behavior of the potentials is explained as a balance of electron collisional inscattering with electron pumping by time-varying axial electric fields. A single-particle following code is used to model the effect of the time-varying axial electric field on electrostatic/magnetic confinement. Magnitudes of the electric fields required to sustain these potentials agree with values predicted by the available plasma wave-field solving codes. Measured scaling of the ion-confining potential is in qualitative agreement with scaling predicted by the model.

• DOE Contract Number: AC02-78ET51015
• OSTI ID: 6946498
• Journal Information: Physics of Fluids B; (United States), Journal Name: Physics of Fluids B; (United States) Vol. 4:11; ISSN PFBPE; ISSN 0899-8221
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700310 -- Plasma Confinement-- (1992-)
700340* -- Plasma Waves
Oscillations
& Instabilities-- (1992-)
BOLTZMANN EQUATION
CONFINEMENT
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
ELECTRIC FIELDS
EQUATIONS
MAGNETIC MIRRORS
OPEN PLASMA DEVICES
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
PLASMA CONFINEMENT
PLASMA DENSITY
POTENTIALS
SCALING LAWS
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES