Translation Studies on an Annular Field Reversed Configuration Device
Abstract
An annular field reversed configuration is a plasma toroid formed in the annular region between two coaxial coils. The coils induce a toroidal (azimuthal) diamagnetic current in the plasma, setting up a closed poloidal B-field. The closed B-field confines the plasma and allows it to be accelerated as a whole from its formation chamber. This research seeks to explore annular field reversed configuration (AFRC) devices for high power electric propulsion by demonstrating the acceleration of these plasmoids using an experimental prototype. If plasmoid translation was successful, the plasmoid's velocity and impulse were measured and the system's energy efficiency was estimated. If the plasmoid failed to translate, reasons for the failure were investigated.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA592580
Entities
People
- Carrie S. Hill
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory