H. Boehmer

Spectral gap of shear Alfvén waves in a periodic array of magnetic mirrors

A multiple magnetic mirror array is formed at the Large Plasma Device (LAPD) [W. Gekelman, H. Pfister, Z. Lucky, J. Bamber, D. Leneman, and J. Maggs, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 62, 2875 (1991)] to study axial periodicity-influenced Alfven spectra. Shear Alfven waves (SAW) are launched by antennas inserted in the LAPD plasma and diagnosed by B-dot probes at many axial locations. Alfven wave spectral gaps and continua are formed similar to wave propagation in other periodic media due to the Bragg effect. The measured width of the propagation gap increases with the modulation amplitude as predicted by the solutions to Mathieu’s equation. A two-dimensional finite-difference code modeling SAW in a mirror array configuration shows similar spectral features. Machine end-reflection conditions and damping mechanisms including electron-ion Coulomb collision and electron Landau damping are important for simulation.

Lithium ion sources for investigations of fast ion transport in magnetized plasmas

In order to study the interaction of ions of intermediate energies with plasma fluctuations, two plasma immersible lithium ion sources, based on solid-state thermionic emitters (Li aluminosilicate) were developed. Compared to discharge based ion sources, they are compact, have zero gas load, small energy dispersion, and can be operated at any angle with respect to an ambient magnetic field of up to 4.0 kG. Beam energies range from 400 eV to 2.0 keV with typical beam current densities in the 1 mAcm(2) range. Because of the low ion mass, beam velocities of 100-300 kms are in the range of Alfven speeds in typical helium plasmas in the large plasma device.

Measurements of classical transport of fast ions

To study the fast-ion transport in a well controlled background plasma, a 3-cm diameter rf ion gun launches a pulsed, ∼300eV ribbon shaped argon ion beam parallel to or at 15° to the magnetic field in the Large Plasma Device (LAPD) [W. Gekelman, H. Pfister, Z. Lucky, J. Bamber, D. Leneman, and J. Maggs, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 62, 2875 (1991)] at UCLA. The parallel energy of the beam is measured by a two-grid energy analyzer at two axial locations (z=0.32m and z=6.4m) from the ion gun in LAPD. The calculated ion beam slowing-down time is consistent to within 10% with the prediction of classical Coulomb collision theory using the LAPD plasma parameters measured by a Langmuir probe. To measure cross-field transport, the beam is launched at 15° to the magnetic field. The beam then is focused periodically by the magnetic field to avoid geometrical spreading. The radial beam profile measurements are performed at different axial locations where the ion beam is periodically focused. The measured cross-field transport...

Operation of a 0.2–1.1 keV ion source within a magnetized laboratory plasma

To study the physics of energetic ions in magnetized plasma, a rf ion beam is inserted into the 1 kG, ∼3 eV, ∼1012 cm−3 plasma produced by the upgraded LArge Plasma Device (LAPD). The commercial 100–1000 eV argon source normally operates in an unmagnetized microelectronics production environment. Successful operation in the LAPD requires numerous modifications, including electrical isolation of the source housing, relocation of the matching network for the rf, reduction of the gas pressure, pulsed operation to avoid overheating, and care to preserve current neutralization in the presence of a strong magnetic field. With these modifications, a ∼500 eV, milliampere beam that propagates axially more than 6 m is obtained.

Sheared-flow induced confinement transition in a linear magnetized plasma

A magnetized plasma cylinder (12 cm in diameter) is induced by an annular shape obstacle at the Large Plasma Device [W. Gekelman, H. Pfister, Z. Lucky, J. Bamber, D. Leneman, and J. Maggs, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 62, 2875 (1991)]. Sheared azimuthal flow is driven at the edge of the plasma cylinder through edge biasing. Strong fluctuations of density and potential (δn/n~eδφ/kTe~0.5) are observed at the plasma edge, accompanied by a large density gradient (Ln=|∇lnn|-1~2cm) and shearing rate (γ~300kHz). Edge turbulence and cross-field transport are modified by changing the bias voltage (Vbias) on the obstacle and the axial magnetic field (Bz) strength. In cases with low Vbias and large Bz, improved plasma confinement is observed, along with steeper edge density gradients. The radially sheared flow induced by E×B drift dramatically changes the cross-phase between density and potential fluctuations, which causes the wave-induced particle flux to reverse its direction across the shear layer. In cases with higher bia...

Doppler-shifted cyclotron resonance of fast ions with circularly polarized shear Alfvén waves

The Doppler-shifted cyclotron resonance between fast ions and shear Alfven waves (SAWs) has been experimentally investigated with a test-particle fast-ion (Li+) beam launched in the helium plasma of the Large Plasma Device [Gekelman et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 62, 2875 (1991)]. Left- or right-hand circularly polarized SAWs are launched by an antenna with four current channels. A collimated fast-ion energy analyzer characterizes the resonance by measuring the nonclassical spreading of the averaged beam signal. Left-hand circularly polarized SAWs resonate with the fast ions but right-hand circularly polarized SAWs do not. The measured fast-ion profiles are compared with simulations by a Monte Carlo Lorentz code that uses the measured wave field data.

Measurements of interactions between waves and energetic ions in basic plasma experiments

To measure the transport of fast ions by various types of waves, complementary experiments are conducted in linear and toroidal magnetic fields in the large plasma device and the toroidal plasma experiment. Lithium sources that are immersed in the plasma provide the energetic ions. Spatial scans of collectors measure the transport. Techniques to find the beam and optimize the spatial sensitivity are described. Measurements of Coulomb scattering, resonant ) (

Observation of fast-ion Doppler-shifted cyclotron resonance with shear Alfvén waves

The Doppler-shifted cyclotron resonance (ω−kzvz=Ωf) between fast ions and shear Alfven waves is experimentally investigated (ω, wave frequency; kz, axial wavenumber; vz, fast-ion axial speed; Ωf, fast-ion cyclotron frequency). A test particle beam of fast ions is launched by a Li+ source in the helium plasma of the LArge Plasma Device (LAPD) [W. Gekelman, H. Pfister, Z. Lucky, J. Bamber, D. Leneman, and J. Maggs, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 62, 2875 (1991)], with shear Alfven waves (SAW) (amplitude δ B/B up to 1%) launched by a loop antenna. A collimated fast-ion energy analyzer measures the nonclassical spreading of the beam, which is proportional to the resonance with the wave. A resonance spectrum is observed by launching SAWs at 0.3–0.8ωci. Both the magnitude and frequency dependence of the beam-spreading are in agreement with the theoretical prediction using a Monte Carlo Lorentz code that launches fast ions with an initial spread in real/velocity space and random phases relative to the wave. Measured wave ma...

Positron trapping in a magnetic mirror configuration

Abstract In a first step towards generating an electron-positron plasma, a proof-of-principle experiment is reported in which externally injected slow positrons and electrons are trapped in a magnetic mirror configuration by electron (positron) cyclotron resonance heating. Positrons with an average injection energy of 1 eV from a 0.6 mCi Na-22 source/moderator combination are demonstrated to be trapped in the mirror. With a primary flux of 5.3 × 102 moderated positrons/s, an estimated equilibrium density of 2 × 102 cm−3 is obtained in a 20 cm3 volume. With an appropriate increase of the injected slow positron flux, densities in the 107 cm−3 range can be expected. In replacing the positron source with a small electron gun, a trapped electron density of 3 × 108 cm−3 in the same volume was obtained.

Thermal plasma and fast ion transport in electrostatic turbulence in the large plasma device

The transport of thermal plasma and fast ions in electrostatic microturbulence is studied. Strong density and potential fluctuations (δn/n∼δφ/kTe ∼ 0.5, f ∼ 5–50 kHz) are observed in the large plasma device (LAPD) [W. Gekelman, H. Pfister, Z. Lucky et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 62, 2875 (1991)] in density gradient regions produced by obstacles with slab or cylindrical geometry. Wave characteristics and the associated plasma transport are modified by driving sheared E × B drift through biasing the obstacle and by modification of the axial magnetic fields (Bz) and the plasma species. Cross-field plasma transport is suppressed with small bias and large Bz and is enhanced with large bias and small Bz. The transition in thermal plasma confinement is well explained by the cross-phase between density and potential fluctuations. Large gyroradius lithium fast ion beam (ρfast/ρs ∼ 10) orbits through the turbulent region. Scans with a collimated analyzer give detailed profiles of the fast ion spatial-temporal distribut...