Abstract
The containing properties of an adiabatic trap with a magnetic field increasing in the longitudinal and radial directions are investigated. This field is obtained from a combination of the ordinary mirror field configuration (main field H0‖) and the field of a system of current-carrying conductors laid parallel to the axis of the trap (stabilizing field H⊥). The conductors are placed uniformly in azimuth around the side walls. The trap is filled with plasma of density n≅109–1010 cm−3 and proton energy Ti≅5eV (Te≅20 eV). The plasma lifetime is measured as a function of H⊥. and the neutral gas pressure. From the results obtained, it is concluded that such combined fields ensure stable containment of the plasma, unbroken by magnetohydrodynamic instabilities [at any rate for β = nI/(H2/8π)≅ 10−4]. The stabilization of the instability is confirmed by analysis of the plasma oscillations for various values of H⊥. The disintegration of the plasma is determined by the charge exchange of fast ions in the residual gas; the maximum containment time which can be achieved is 0.06 sec for p = 7.10−9mmHg. A qualitative picture of the plasma density over the radius of the trap is obtained.
Published Version
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