Inverse mirror plasma experimental device—A new magnetized linear plasma device with wide operating range

Area of Science:

• Plasma Physics
• Wave Phenomena
• Magnetized Plasmas

Background:

• Phase mixing and wave breaking are fundamental processes in plasma physics.
• Investigating nonlinear plasma oscillations requires highly quiescent plasma conditions.
• Existing experimental devices may not offer sufficient control over plasma parameters for such studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and fabricate an inverse mirror plasma experimental device.
• To investigate phase mixing and wave breaking of plasma oscillations.
• To produce and characterize quiescent magnetized plasma for wave experiments.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a multifilamentary plasma source in a cusp geometry.
• Employed a flexible transition magnetic field region.
• Operated within a pressure range of 1.7 × 10(-5) to 9 × 10(-4) mbar.
• Characterized plasma using probe measurements.

Main Results:

• Achieved quiescent magnetized argon plasma (δn/n ≤ 0.5%) over a wide operating range.
• Generated plasma densities from 10(9) to 10(12) cm(-3) and temperatures from 1.7 to 5 eV.
• Demonstrated axially and radially uniform plasma, suitable for wave launching.

Conclusions:

• The designed inverse mirror plasma device successfully produces quiescent and uniform magnetized plasma.
• The device is well-suited for experimental investigations of nonlinear plasma wave phenomena like phase mixing and wave breaking.
• The flexible magnetic field and plasma source offer excellent control for optimizing plasma conditions.