A Steady State Helicon Plasma Source
Abstract
We are using a 27 MHz helicon plasma source to create steady state argon plasma for development of several novel diagnostics such as motional Stark effect diagnostic for low magnetic fields, 2D laser induced fluorescence (LIF) imaging of ion turbulence and for the magnetic nozzle experiment at PPPL. This plasma source can be operated under a wide range of conditions: RF power 0.3-2 kW, pressure 0.3-20 mTorr, magnetic field 1-3.5 kG. Langmuir probe measurements were used to get radial plasma density and electron temperature profile. The electron density at the center of the vacuum chamber ranged from 10^18-10^20 m-3 and the electron temperature was Te ≈ 5 eV. Using LIF diagnostic the average perpendicular ion temperature was found to be Ti ≈ 0.8 eV. Future plans include detailed radial profile measurements of the ion and electron temperature and electron density.
- Publication:
-
APS Division of Plasma Physics Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- November 1999
- Bibcode:
- 1999APS..DPP.QP113K