High Temperature Plasma Physics Research Articles

Thermal instability theory analysis of multifaceted asymmetric radiation from the edge (MARFE) in Tokamak Experiment for Technology Oriented Research (TEXTOR)

The density limits for a series of shots in TEXTOR [Tokamak Experiment for Technology Oriented Research, E. Hintz, P. Bogen, H. A. Claaßen et al., in Contributions to High-Temperature Plasma Physics, edited by K. H. Spatschek and J. Uhlenbusch (Akademie Verlag, Berlin, 1994, p. 373)], over a range of heating powers, that ended in multifaceted asymmetric radiation from the edge (MARFE) have been analyzed within the context of thermal instability theory. The prediction of MARFE onset agrees with observation to within the experimental uncertainty.

Multispectral Shock-Layer Radiance from a Hypersonic Slender Body

Abstract : The Science and Technology Directorate of the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization is conducting programs to characterize and measure the radiation emitted by the flows about hypersonic vehicles. In addition to understanding the basic physics of high temperature plasmas, ongoing analyses are establishing how such emissions are useful for the detection of theater missile targets using the mid-wave infra-red (MWIR) spectral region (3 - 5 microns) as the baseline and the ultraviolet (UV) or visible wavelengths as a second detection wavelength. The use of a second, shorter wavelength combined with the baseline sensor increases the total information content of the scene. This paper will present a methodology for the calculation of the self-induced, shocklayer radiance for a theater missile defense (TMD)-like interceptor. Predictions of the spectral radiance shocklayer for a realistic missile shape will be given. Finally, operations and instrumentation for an upcoming flight designed to test these predictions will then be discussed. The goal of the experiment is to support the development of a two-color detection strategy based on both short and long wavelengths to provide a robust onboard seeker environment.

Heating and acceleration of plasma during explosion of a wire in vacuum in a strong longitudinal magnetic field

Additional estimates {Yu. E. Adam’yan, A. N. Berezkin, and G. A. Shneerson, Abstracts of the VI All-Union Conference on the Physics of High-Temperature Plasmas [in Russian], Leningrad (1983), Vol. 2, pp. 387–389; Yu. E. Adam’yan, V. M. Vasilevski\(\overset{\lower0.5em\hbox{$\smash{\scriptscriptstyle\smile}$}}{l} \), Krivosheev et al., Pis’ma Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 21(23), 43 (1995) [Tech. Phys. Lett. 21(12), 968 (1995)]; S. N. Kolgatin and G. A. Shneerson, Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 67 (1), 57 (1997) [Tech. Phys. 42, 39 (1997)]; Yu. E. Adam’yan, V. M. Vasilevski\(\overset{\lower0.5em\hbox{$\smash{\scriptscriptstyle\smile}$}}{l} \), Krivosheev et al., Abstracts of the VI International Conference on the Generation of Megagauss Magnetic Fields and Related Experiments [in Russian], Sarov (1996)]} are presented to illustrate the possibility of and to explain the phenomenon of the acceleration and heating of a conducting medium as it expands perpendicular to a specified external field. The bulk of this paper is devoted to a description of experiments where this effect was observed during expansion of a cloud of gas with a relatively low density formed near a wire as it undergoes an electrical explosion in vacuum. The experimental data, obtained using additional diagnostics including streak camera photography and diamagnetic measurements, show that in magnetic fields with an induction of about 50 T, heating and acceleration of the outer layers of the plasma from the electrical explosion of a wire in vacuum to velocities of about 20 km/s are observed. A numerical simulation of the acceleration process is used for interpreting the results.

Introduction to Diagnostics

The diagnostic techniques developed in high-temperature plasma physics cover an extremely broad range of underlying physical processes and technical implementations. In this paper a short survey will be given by categorising the wide variety of methods into electrotechnical (mainly magnetic) measurements, passive observations of particle and photon fluxes emerging from the plasma, and active explorations by means of photon and particle beam probes. In addition, some general considerations concerning redundancy and interconnection of various techniques as well as data acquisition and analysis will be briefly discussed.

Synthesis of Solar-Stellar Seismology — Meeting Summary

The Sun has generally been described as the Rosetta Stone of astronomy. This label is especially apt because our star is sufficiently close to Earth for a detailed scrutiny of its surface, a luxury that is not readily available for distant stars. It is our fond hope that the interior of the Sun and stars can be used as an astrophysical laboratory for testing theories of atomic and nuclear physics, high-temperature plasma physics, magnetohydrodynamics and neutrino physics.

Physics of helicon discharges

Because of their high density, low-pressure discharges ionized by helicon waves are being studied for their possible use in cluster tools for the fabrication of next-generation computer chips. How helicon waves are related to whistler waves and waves in a plasma-filled waveguide is explained, and the mystery of the high ionization efficiency is outlined. Experimental data on the waves and the equilibrium properties of the discharge are shown, and the status of our current understanding of the physical processes therein is summarized. The importance of kinetic effects and of a short-wavelength mode arising at low magnetic fields is evaluated. Applications of helicon discharges to such diverse fields as plasma accelerators, microwave generators, and tokamak physics are illustrated. Low-temperature plasma physics is often considered a discipline so different from high-temperature plasma physics that there is little overlap, but these studies show that the techniques developed in fusion and space plasma physics can be applied to technological plasmas as well.

Applicability of the ideal fluid model in high-temperature plasma physics

The dependence of the momentum flux density on the particle flux and pressure tensor is calculated for a relativistic collisionless plasma. It is shown that the relativistic plasma is not representable by the ideal fluid model in the presence of longitudinal and transverse perturbations.

Concepts and designs of D-T fusion electricity generating plant

Most of the matter in the Universe is in the plasma state. A plasma will be defined and the concepts of quasi-neutrality and Debye distance introduced. The subject has its historical roots in gas discharge, astrophysics and ionospheric physics. Key theoretical concepts w ere developed in the context of those subjects. However, only in the last two decades, under the pressures of the controlled thermonuclear and space exploration program m es, have these concepts been tested experim entally. T h e theory of collisions in plasm a has special features owing to the Coulomb nature o f the interaction. Magnetized plasma is a medium in which a rich variety of small signal waves can propagate. Charged particle-wave interactions lead to collisionless (Landau) damping and growth mechanisms. Finally, nonlinear phenomena in plasma can and do change its transport properties by orders of magnitude. O u r lack of detailed understanding of these nonlinear phenomena applies equally to natural plasmas and to plasmas in both inertially and magnetically confined fusion systems. This feature provides the challenge and the fascination of high temperature plasma physics.

Introduction to high temperature plasma physics

Most of the matter in the Universe is in the plasma state. A plasma will be defined and the concepts of quasi-neutrality and Debye distance introduced. The subject has its historical roots in gas discharge, astrophysics and ionospheric physics. Key theoretical concepts were developed in the context of those subjects. However, only in the last two decades, under the pressures of the controlled thermonuclear and space exploration programmes, have these concepts been tested experimentally. The theory of collisions in plasma has special features owing to the Coulomb nature of the interaction. Magnetized plasma is a medium in which a rich variety of small signal waves can propagate. Charged particle—wave interactions lead to collisionless (Landau) damping and growth mechanisms. Finally, nonlinear phenomena in plasma can and do change its transport properties by orders of magnitude. Our lack of detailed understanding of these nonlinear phenomena applies equally to natural plasmas and to plasmas in both inertially and magnetically confined fusion systems. This feature provides the challenge and the fascination of high temperature plasma physics.

Physics of High Temperature Plasmas (Second Edition)

<i>Physics of High Temperature Plasmas (Second Edition)</i>

931. Prospects of thermonuclear fusion reactors in the light of new results of high temperature plasma physics research: P Sunka, Czech J Phys, A 22 (2), 1972, 139–152 ( in Czech)

931. Prospects of thermonuclear fusion reactors in the light of new results of high temperature plasma physics research: P Sunka, Czech J Phys, A 22 (2), 1972, 139–152 ( in Czech)

The development of high temperature plasma physics in the last decade

Abstract The behaviour of plasma may be considered at quite different levels, e.g. as a conducting fluid, as a reacting system of gases, or as a large assembly of charged particles. This review attempts to outline in broad terms the way in which our understanding of plasma, especially in the third sense, has increased in the last 10–15 years from an essentially qualitative level to one in which at least some of its behaviour can be predicted quantitatively with confidence. This has come about, largely from the needs of fusion research, by a worldwide effort aimed at improving both theoretical models and experimental (especially diagnostic) techniques. As a result we now have a good understanding of the properties of plasma in equilibrium and its response to small amplitude perturbation; the main effort is now devoted to extending this to its non-linear behaviour, which is particularly important since plasma has so many available modes of vibration as well as a dual particle-continuum nature peculiar to that state.

Plasma Spectroscopy in the Vacuum Ultraviolet and Soft X-ray Regions

Techniques involved in the spectroscopy of pulsed plasma sources in the vacuum ultraviolet and soft x-ray spectral regions are described in connection with recent developments in a high temperature plasma physics program. The time-integrated spectrum between 15 A and 1800 A has been analyzed using semiautomatic computer techniques for the grazing incidence portion. Time resolved absolute intensity measurements of 0 iii- O viii ion lines are described as related to recent results on energy losses and impurity content, as well as excitation rate coefficients. Broadband measurements of x-ray continuum radiation with four simultaneous detection channels are also described, and typical results of computer calculations necessary for the interpretation in terms of electron temperature are included.

Research on controlled nuclear fusion and the physics of high-temperature plasma in the U.S.S.R.,

Research on controlled nuclear fusion and the physics of high-temperature plasma in the U.S.S.R.,

Research on controlled nuclear fusion and the physics of high-temperature plasma in the U.S.S.R.

Research on controlled nuclear fusion and the physics of high-temperature plasma in the U.S.S.R.

Studies on the problem of controlled nuclear synthesis and the physics of high-temperature plasma in the USSR

Studies on the problem of controlled nuclear synthesis and the physics of high-temperature plasma in the USSR

Notes on some theoretical investigations of the physics of high temperature plasmas

A brief survey is given of those 1958 Geneva papers devoted to the theoretical aspects of high temperature plasma physics.

Controlled Fusion Research-An Application of the Physics of High Temperature Plasmas

Some of the long-range implications and advantages of achieving the production of power from controlled fusion reactions between isotopes of hydrogen, helium, and lithium are set forth. The physical conditions which seemingly must be established to accomplish this are presented. These are shown to lead to a situation in which the fusion fuel will exist in the form of a very hot, tenuous, fully ionized gas-i.e., a plasma. It is shown that the required conditions can be maintained only by the use of a force field, for example, a magnetic field, to confine the plasma. A simple example of magnetic confinement-the pinch effect-is described. The electrodynamic properties of a fully ionized gas interacting with a magnetic field are briefly outlined. General scaling laws which would probably apply to any operable controlled fusion reactor are given. Examples are cited of fruitless approaches to the achievement of controlled fusion. Some aspects of the problem of "plasma diagnostics" are described to illustrate means for an experimental approach to high temperature plasma physics.

Controlled Fusion Research—An Application of the Physics of High Temperature Plasmas

Some of the long-range implications and advantages of achieving the production of power from controlled fusion reactions between isotopes of hydrogen, helium, and lithium are set forth. The physical conditions which seemingly must be established to accomplish this are presented. These are shown to lead to a situation in which the fusion fuel will exist in the form of a very hot, tenuous, fully ionized gas-i.e., a plasma. It is shown that the required conditions can be maintained only by the use of a force field, for example, a magnetic field, to confine the plasma. A simple example of magnetic confinement?the pinch effect?is described. The electrodynamic properties of a fully ionized gas interacting with a magnetic field are briefly outlined. General scaling laws which would probably apply to any operable controlled fusion reactor are given. Examples are cited of fruitless approaches to the achievement of controlled fusion. Some aspects of the problem of diagnostics are described to illustrate means for an experimental approach to high temperature plasma physics.