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Overview of the diagnostic system on the reconnection scaling experiment at LANL

Conference ·
OSTI ID:976419
The Reconnection Scaling Experiment (RSX) is a high {beta}, non-MHD linear geometry experiment that is exploring the sub-millimeter geometry of magnetic reconnection. We use up to four plasma guns to create streams of high density plasma in a 4m long vacuum vessel. A variable arc voltage is used to ionize the hydrogen gas and a variable bias voltage is applied between the gun's cathode and the external anode to create a current in the plasma. The following diagnostics have been used on the machine: a Langmuir probe, a 3-dimensional B-dot probe, a miniature Rogowski, a CCD camera, and a photomultiplier tube. A fully-automated 3D probe drive has been designed to map the magnetic field, current and voltages of the plasma channels on a sub-millimeter scale.
Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE
OSTI ID:
976419
Report Number(s):
LA-UR-02-6814
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English