Dense Plasma Injection Experiment at MCX

Uzun-Kaymak I., Messer S., Bomgardner R., Case A., Clary R., Ellis R., ...More

JOURNAL OF FUSION ENERGY, vol.28, no.3, pp.240-242, 2009 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 28 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2009
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s10894-009-9200-7
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF FUSION ENERGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.240-242
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

We present preliminary results of the High Density Plasma Injection Experiment at the Maryland Centrifugal Experiment (MCX). HyperV Technologies Corp. has designed, built, and installed a prototype coaxial gun to drive rotation in MCX. This gun has been designed to avoid the blow-by instability via a combination of electrode shaping and a tailored plasma armature. An array of diagnostics indicates the gun is capable of plasma jets with a mass of 160 mu g at 70 km/s with an average plasma density above 10(15) cm(-3). Preliminary measurements are underway at MCX to understand the penetration of the plasma jet through the MCX magnetic field and the momentum transfer from the jet to the MCX plasma. Data will be presented for a wide range of MCX field parameters, and the prospects for future injection experiments will be evaluated.