Instrumentation for High Energy-Density Plasma Facility
Abstract
Plasmas carrying high heat fluxes (>1MW/m2) are typical for aerospace (vehicles re-entry and hypersonic flight) and magnetic fusion applications (tokamak divertor and plasma disruption). Continuous plasma sources with such parameters are not readily available, but they are required for prototyping and scientific research of plasma-material interactions in the extreme conditions. We have achieved heat fluxes on the order of ~4MW/m2 using high energy-density rf-driven helicon discharge. To move forward, a higher level of understanding of the underlying processes, including applied RF power conversion into main channels: gas ionization, plasma heating and acceleration, and XUV photon emission. Direct measurements are impossible due to the limited accessibility to the ionization region and high heat fluxes, which prohibit use of common plasma probes. Moreover, probe measurements disturb plasma, and require I-V curve analysis, which is valid for equilibrated plasma. Thereafter, we are developing an alternative method of remote non-invasive measurements of key plasma parameters using high-resolution UV-NIR spectroscopy. NU Plasma Laboratory focuses on i) experiments with high energy-density rf-plasma, ii) noninvasive diagnostics methods, and iii) numerical modeling to validate physical models and verify computational ones. Proposed instrumentation will benefit several areas of DOD/AFOSR research from Basic Plasma Physics to Advanced Numerical Methods. Plasma Lab provides training to graduate and undergraduate students. It will be blended into the educational Advanced Physics Laboratory course of the NU Doctoral Program in Physics by offering Anomalous Zeeman/Paschen-Back Effects, and vacuum XUV/high-resolution UV-NIR spectroscopy labs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 2021
- Source ID
- FA95502010330
Entities
People
- Oleg Batishchev
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Northeastern University
- United States Air Force