AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF A HIGH DENSITY PLASMA IN A MAGNETIC PIPE
Abstract
An exploratory study of a device for confinement of a plasma by a periodic magnetic field is undertaken. The periodic confining force is produced by the motion of ionized gas through a magnetic field possessing gradients in the direction of the flow. This geometry has been called a ''Magnetic Pipe.'' Requirements to be met by the magnetic field and the gas properties are developed by order of magnitude considerations. An experimental version of the magnetic pipe is constructed and mounted on the downstream end of a shock tube. Application of the containment requirements to this device indicate that total confinement is not to be expected. However, a reduction in the plasma density near the walls of the pipe is predicted. The heat transfer to fine wires placed in this region is seen to decrease sharply upon the application of the magnetic field. The effects of the moving plasma on the magnetic field is monitored with search coils placed in the flow. These search coil measurements indicate that the magnetic field and the moving plasma are coupling in the manner expected. It is concluded that the predicted density decrease is observed. Modification of the existing equipment and further studies are suggested. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0288698
Entities
People
- Arthur M. Schneiderman
Organizations
- Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories