Accession Number:

AD0701734

Title:

X-ATRON DIAGNOSTIC.

Descriptive Note:

Final technical rept. 1 Jun 67-29 Aug 69,

Corporate Author:

ELECTRO-OPTICAL SYSTEMS PASADENA CALIF

Personal Author(s):

• Cann,G. L.
• Harder,R. L.
• Shepard,C. B. , Jr.
• Jacobs,P. F.

Report Date:

1969-09-01

Pagination or Media Count:

277.0

Abstract:

Electromagnetically confined plasma was investigated in X-atron devices. Plasma generated by arc discharges between on-axis cathodes and ring anodes was contained by axially symmetric magnetic fields. Hydrogen plasma forms a virtual cathode along the axis and lithium plasma forms an anode sheath along the magnetic flux tube through the concentric ring mode. X-atron I, with electrodes at one end, operated with potential drops over 400 volts. These potentials increased with arc current and magnetic field strength, as predicted, and inversely with mass flow rate, but did not follow the theoretical quadratic law. X-atron II, with electrodes at each end of a symmetrically-bucking magnetic field, was designed to more completely confine the arc discharges. A multi-ring plasma isolator was positioned at the magnetic mid-plane for potential isolation, particle collection and diagnostic measurements. Operation at low tank pressures and low lithium flow rate was characterized by high voltages, and copious electronic noise. The plasma was stably confined by the magnetic field when sufficient lithium was injected to permit total current conduction by lithium ions across magnetic field lines from the anode sheath by the virtual cathode. This low-pressure, high lithium-feed mode confirms postulated mechanisms. Author

Descriptors:

• (*PLASMA ACCELERATORS
• HALL EFFECT)
• (*PLASMA ENGINES
• HALL EFFECT)
• MAGNETIC FIELDS
• ELECTRIC ARCS
• LITHIUM
• CONTAINMENT(NUCLEAR REACTORS)

Subject Categories:

• Plasma Physics and Magnetohydrodynamics
• Electric and Ion Propulsion

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE