Plasma confinement in a spindle cusp magnetic field

Thesis/Dissertation · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:6957205

Bosch, R A

An experimental study of the confinement properties of a low (average) beta plasma in a spindle cusp magnetic field is described. An argon discharge plasma and a plasma produced by contact ionization of potassium were investigated. Electron and ion densities, space potentials, and plasma flow velocities were measured in the ring and point cusps. The leak width of the escaping plasma was measured over a wide range of magnetic field strengths and neutral gas pressures. The dependence of the leak width on neutral pressure and magnetic field strength is accounted for by a simple model is which plasma streams out of the cusps along the magnetic field lines while diffusing across the magnetic field due to the combined effects of neutral particle collisions and Bohm diffusion.

• Research Organization: Iowa Univ., Iowa City (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6957205
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640410 -- Fluid Physics-- General Fluid Dynamics
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700101* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Confinement
Heating
& Production
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
ALKALI METALS
ARGON
BOHM CRITERION
CONFINEMENT
CUSPED GEOMETRIES
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
GASES
LEAKS
MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
METALS
NEUTRAL-PARTICLE TRANSPORT
NONMETALS
OPEN CONFIGURATIONS
PLASMA CONFINEMENT
POTASSIUM
RADIATION TRANSPORT
RARE GASES