Measurements accounting for the impediment of ion spin-up in rotating magnetic field driven field reversed configurations
- Lockheed Martin, 1011 Lockheed Way, Palmdale, California 93599 (United States)
- Redmond Plasma Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, 14700 NE 95th Street, Suite 100, Redmond, Washington 98052 (United States)
Improved vacuum hygiene, wall conditioning, and reduced recycling in the rotating magnetic field (RMF) driven translation, confinement, and sustainment-upgrade (TCSU) field reversed configuration experiment have made possible a more accurate assessment of the forces affecting ion spin-up. This issue is critical in plasmas sustained by RMFs, such as TCSU since ion spin-up can substantially reduce or cancel the RMF current drive effect. Several diagnostics are brought to bear, including a 3-axis translatable magnetic probe allowing the first experimental measurement of the end shorting effect. These results show that the ion rotation is determined by a balance between electron-ion friction, the end shorting effect, and ion drag against neutrals.
- OSTI ID:
- 22047073
- Journal Information:
- Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 18, Issue 11; Other Information: (c) 2011 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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