ISSN:
1089-7666
Source:
AIP Digital Archive
Topics:
Physics
Notes:
The magnetization of a high-beta (plasma energy density/magnetic field energy density≡β≥1) hydrogen-plasma beam injected into a vacuum transverse magnetic field is studied experimentally. Nominal parameters were Ti≈1 eV, Te≈5 eV, n≤3×1013 cm−3, vi≤7×106 cm/sec, tpulse〈70 μsec, Bz≤300 G. Plasma characteristics were measured for a wide beam, a/ρi≤35, and a downstream distance, x≤300ρi, where a is the beam radius, x is the downstream distance, and ρi is the ion gyroradius. A brief initial state of diamagnetic propagation is observed, followed by E×B (magnetized) propagation; E×B propagation is accompanied by beam compression transverse to B with as much as a factor of 4 increase in density and a slight drift of the beam in the ion Lorentz force direction. For Bz=200–300 G the observed magnetization time is much faster than calculated from classical Spitzer conductivity and is more of the order of the magnetization time based on Hall conductivity.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.859512
