Characteristics of the NASA Lewis bumpy-torus plasma generated with positive applied potentials

Technical Report · Mon Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1976

OSTI ID:7325800

Roth, J R; Gerdin, G A; Richardson, R W

Experimental observations were made during steady-state operation of a bumpy-torus plasma at input powers up to 150 kW in deuterium and helium gas and with positive potentials applied to the midplane electrodes. In this steady-state ion heating method a modified Penning discharge is operated such that the plasma is acted upon by a combination of strong electric and magnetic fields. Experimental investigation of a deuterium plasma revealed electron temperatures from 14 to 140 eV and ion kinetic temperatures from 160 to 1785 eV. At least two distinct modes of operation exist. Experimental data shows that the average ion residence time in the plasma is virtually independent of the magnetic field strength. Data was taken when all 12 anode rings were at high voltage, and in other symmetric configurations in which the toroidal plasma was generated by applying positive potentials to six anode rings, three anode rings, and a single anode ring. (Author) (GRA)

• OSTI ID: 7325800
• Report Number(s): N-76-20969; NASA-TN-D-8114; E-8484
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700200* -- Fusion Energy-- Fusion Power Plant Technology
ANNULAR SPACE
CONFIGURATION
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
DEUTERIUM
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTRODES
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
HELIUM
HYDROGEN ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
MAGNETIC MIRRORS
NONMETALS
NUCLEI
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
OPEN PLASMA DEVICES
OPERATION
RARE GASES
STABLE ISOTOPES
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
TOROIDAL CONFIGURATION