Accession Number:

AD0744818

Title:

Experimental Study of Instabilities in the ELMAX

Descriptive Note:

Master's thesis

Corporate Author:

AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

Personal Author(s):

• Trouy, Victor R.

Report Date:

1972-06-01

Pagination or Media Count:

52.0

Abstract:

An experimental search for instabilities in an ELMAX plasma device was made. Plasma generated oscillations of potential and density, with amplitudes several orders of magnitude above background noise, were observed over a wide range of plasma parameters. Measurements of plasma parameters were made with Langmuir probe diagnostic techniques. Frequencies from 3 kHz to 8 kHz were observed with phase velocity in the direction of the electron diagmagnetic drift. Ion temperature was not measured and attempted measurements of space potential were not satisfactory. By comparing the observed characteristics of the oscillations with previously identified instabilities, the instabilities responsible for the plasma generated oscillations were tentatively identified as collisional drift waves.

Descriptors:

• *PLASMAS(PHYSICS)
• IONS
• ELECTRON DENSITY
• LANGMUIR PROBES
• CONFINEMENT(NUCLEAR REACTORS)
• CURVE FITTING
• PINCH EFFECT
• OSCILLATION
• THESES
• STABILITY

Subject Categories:

• Fusion Devices (Thermonuclear)
• Plasma Physics and Magnetohydrodynamics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE