Strong Axial Magnetic Field Research Articles

Magnetization of laser-produced plasma in a chiral hollow target

It is demonstrated that targets with a broken rotational symmetry may facilitate the generation of a strong axial (poloidal) magnetic field. An intense laser beam irradiating such a target creates strong electron currents carrying vorticity and producing strong spontaneous magnetic fields. Combined with laser-based acceleration schemes, such targets may be used for generation and guiding of magnetized, collimated particle or plasma beams.

Study of dynamical behaviour of the plasma in a dc non-transferred plasma torch using fast imaging

The dynamical behaviour of the plasma in a dc non-transferred plasma torch is the result of complex interactions between various forces acting on the plasma column. We have studied this behaviour in a novel experiment comprising a low power (∼25 kW) torch and fast imaging diagnostics. The nitrogen gas plasma torch was operated at atmospheric pressure for a wide range of gas flow rates (20–60 lpm) and currents (70–120 A). A strong axial external magnetic field (100–500 G) was introduced and end-on images of the plasma column were captured using a high speed camera of frame rate ∼117 000 fps. The studies have yielded dominant role of external magnetic on the arc root dynamics. The column is clearly distinguishable in three main parts: central plasma, cathode-anode junction, and radial component of column that attaches to the anode. The dynamics of the column, especially the angular rotational speed of the radial part of the column, is analyzed in detail in terms of the forces that act upon it. The nature of the arc root attachment is observed to vary with variation in main experimental parameters, such as current, magnetic field, and flow. Arguments are invoked to explain the observed phenomena and a model of the physical processes is presented to explain the phenomena.

Evolution of a typical ion‐scale magnetic flux rope caused by thermal pressure enhancement

AbstractWith high time‐resolution field and plasma measurements by the Magnetospheric Multiscale spacecraft, interior fine structures of two ion‐scale magnetic flux ropes (~5 and ~11 ion inertial length radius) separated by ~14 s are resolved. These two ion‐scale flux ropes (FR1 and FR2) show non‐frozen‐in ion behavior and consist of a strong axial magnetic field at the reversal of the negative‐then‐positive bipolar field component. The negative bipolar field component of the FR2 is found to be depressed, where magnetic pressure and total pressure decrease, but ion and electron thermal pressures increase, a feature akin to a crater‐like flux rope. The pressure enhancement is due to the magnetosheath plasma feeding into the flux rope along the field lines. Magnetic field draping and energetic electrons are also observed in the trailing part of the FR2. The ratio of perpendicular and parallel currents indicates that the FR1 appears force‐free but the FR2 seems not. Moreover, the FR2 is time‐dependent as a result of a low correlation coefficient (CC = 0.75) for the derivation of the deHoffmann‐Teller frame using the direct measured electric fields, while the FR1 is in quasi‐steady conditions (CC = 0.94). It is concluded that the crater formation within the FR2 can be interpreted by the analytical flux rope simulation as the evolution of typical flux rope to crater‐like one due to the thermal pressure enhancement, which could be induced by the depression of transverse magnetic fields of the flux rope.

Thermal convection in a duct with a strong axial magnetic field

Thermal convection in a duct with a strong axial magnetic field

Thermo-Magneto-Convective Transport around a Square Cylinder in a Square Duct under Strong Axial Magnetic Field

A quasi two-dimensional numerical study is performed to analyze the thermo-magneto-convective transport of liquid metal around a square cylinder in a square duct subjected to a strong externally imposed axial magnetic field. The channel bottom wall is considered heated while the top wall is maintained at the free stream temperature keeping the cylinder adiabatic. The Reynolds and Hartmann numbers are kept in the range 0 4 with Ha = 2160 is also considered to show the development of a Kelvin-Helmholtz-type instability that substantially affects the heat transfer rate.

Experimental investigation on the characteristics of the plasma jet of a low-current vacuum arc in axial magnetic fields

In this paper, the characteristics of the plasma jet of a low-current vacuum arc with a single cathode spot (CS) in an external axial magnetic field (AMF) up to 150 mT is investigated experimentally, at a constant arc current ranging from 20 A to 60 A. The experiments are conducted with Cu butt contacts in a demountable vacuum chamber. Images of the plasma jets are photographed with a high-speed digital camera with an exposure time of 2 μs. The uniform constant AMF (Bn) within the inter-contacts region is supplied by Nd–Fe–B permanent magnets. The influence of the external AMF on the shape of the jet near the anode surface as well as in the arc column is mainly investigated. A luminous ‘spot’ is observed on the anode surface facing the position of the CS under a relatively strong AMF. The mechanism of the appearance of the luminous ‘spot’ is proposed to be connected to the secondary plasma originating from the anode. Moreover, with the increase in the strength of the AMF, the spreading angle of the cone-shaped plasma jet in the arc–column region decreases gradually. The plasma jet, subjected to a relatively strong AMF (120 mT and 150 mT), becomes cylindrical in shape in the arc–column region and conical in shape in the near-electrode regions. The overall geometry of the plasma jet looks like a dumbbell.

Electron–Cyclotron Laser Using Free-Electron Two-Quantum Stark Radiation in a Strong Uniform Axial Magnetic Field and an Alternating Axial Electric Field in a Voltage-Supplied Pill-Box Cavity

We consider the radiation from the beam electrons traveling in a strong uniform axial magnetic field and an axial alternating electric field of wavelength λw generated by a voltage-supplied pill-box cavity. The beam electrons emit genuine laser radiation that propagates only in the axial direction through free-electron two-quantum Stark radiation. We find that laser radiation takes place only at the expense of the axial kinetic energy when λw ≪ c/(ωc/γ), where ωc/γ is the relativistic electron–cyclotron frequency. We formulate the laser power based on quantum-wiggler electrodynamics, and envision a laser of length 10 m with estimated power 0.1 GW/(kA) in the 10−4 cm wavelength range.

EBSD Study on the Effect of a Strong Axial Magnetic Field on the Microstructure and Crystallography of Al-Ni Alloys During Solidification

The effect of a strong magnetic field on the microstructure and crystallography of the primary and eutectic Al3Ni phases in Al-Ni alloys was investigated by using EBSD. The results show that the magnetic field significantly affected the microstructures and crystallography during both volume and directional solidification. As a result, the Al3Ni primary phases were aligned with the 〈001〉 crystal direction along the magnetic field and formed a layer-like structure. The magnetic field intensity, solidification temperature, growth speed, and alloy composition played important roles during the alignment process of the Al3Ni primary phase. Indeed, the alignment degree increased with the magnetic field and the solidification temperature during normal solidification. Moreover, the effect of the magnetic field on the crystallography of the Al-Al3Ni eutectic in the Al-Ni alloys was also studied. The applied magnetic field modified the orientation of the preferred growth direction of the Al3Ni eutectic fiber and the crystallographic orientation relationship of the Al-Al3Ni eutectic. The orientation of the preferred growth direction of the Al3Ni eutectic fiber depended mainly on the solidification direction and the alignment of the Al3Ni primary phase. Furthermore, a method for controlling the crystallization process by adjusting the angle between the solidification direction and the magnetic field was proposed.

MHD flow and heat transfer behind a square cylinder in a duct under strong axial magnetic field

We capture through numerical simulation the MHD (magnetohydrodynamic) vortex dynamics around a square object in a square duct subjected to a strong externally imposed axial magnetic field. A quasi two-dimensional conditionality allows us to follow a two-dimensional modeling approach. The pertinent MHD control parameters such as the Reynolds and Hartmann numbers are kept in the range 0<Re⩽6000 and 0<Ha⩽2160, respectively. The various regimes of the MHD wake are found in-line with those obtained by Dousset and Pothérat under similar conditions using a circular object (Dousset and Pothérat, 2008). Four different regimes are identified out of which the first three regimes are the classical non-MHD 2D cylinder wakes. The transition from one to another regime is controlled by the friction parameter Re/Ha. The fourth regime is characterized by the vortices evolved from the duct side walls due to the boundary layer separation which strongly disturbs the Kármán vortex street. In order to explore the thermal transport phenomena under the action of the axially imposed magnetic field, the channel bottom wall is considered heated while the top wall is maintained at the free stream temperature keeping the cylinder adiabatic. The heat transfer rate from the heated channel wall strongly depends on the imposed magnetic field strength as well as Reynolds number. Additionally, an enhancement in heat transfer is experienced by placing the square cylinder in the channel over the bare channel, however, simultaneously a degradation in heat transfer would occur if the square object is replaced by a same size circular object.

Plasma-gun-assisted field-reversed configuration formation in a conical θ-pinch

Injection of plasma via an annular array of coaxial plasma guns during the pre-ionization phase of field-reversed configuration (FRC) formation is shown to catalyze the bulk ionization of a neutral gas prefill in the presence of a strong axial magnetic field and change the character of outward flux flow during field-reversal from a convective process to a much slower resistive diffusion process. This approach has been found to significantly improve FRC formation in a conical θ-pinch, resulting in a ∼350% increase in trapped flux at typical operating conditions, an expansion of accessible formation parameter space to lower densities and higher temperatures, and a reduction or elimination of several deleterious effects associated with the pre-ionization phase.

Total electron scattering cross sections for pyrimidine and pyrazine as measured using a magnetically confined experimental system

In this paper, a recently constructed apparatus for measuring electron scattering cross sections while applying a strong axial magnetic field is utilized for determining total scattering cross sections. The first molecules studied with this setup are pyrimidine (1,3-diazine) and pyrazine (1,4-diazine), whose total cross sections are obtained for the incident electron energy range of 8-500 eV. Quite good agreement with earlier theoretical predictions is found after accounting for the angular acceptance (angular resolution for forward scattering) of the apparatus. However, no other experimental total cross sections for electron scattering from pyrimidine or pyrazine have been found in the literature for comparison.

TEST-PARTICLE ACCELERATION IN A HIERARCHICAL THREE-DIMENSIONAL TURBULENCE MODEL

The acceleration of charged particles is relevant to the solar corona over a broad range of scales and energies. High-energy particles are usually detected in concomitance with large energy release events like solar eruptions and flares, nevertheless acceleration can occur at smaller scales, characterized by dynamical activity near current sheets. To gain insight into the complex scenario of coronal charged particle acceleration, we investigate the properties of acceleration with a test-particle approach using three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) models. These are obtained from direct solutions of the reduced MHD equations, well suited for a plasma embedded in a strong axial magnetic field, relevant to the inner heliosphere. A multi-box, multi-scale technique is used to solve the equations of motion for protons. This method allows us to resolve an extended range of scales present in the system, namely from the ion inertial scale of the order of a meter up to macroscopic scales of the order of $10\,$km ($1/100$th of the outer scale of the system). This new technique is useful to identify the mechanisms that, acting at different scales, are responsible for acceleration to high energies of a small fraction of the particles in the coronal plasma. We report results that describe acceleration at different stages over a broad range of time, length and energy scales.

Total electron-scattering cross sections from pyrimidine as measured using a magnetically confined experimental system

In this paper, an apparatus for measuring electron-scattering cross sections while applying a strong axial magnetic field is described. The first original experiment performed with this setup is the measurement of the total cross sections for pyrimidine (1,3-diazine), which are presented for the incident electron energy range of 8--500 eV. Generally good agreement with earlier theoretical predictions is found after accounting for the angular acceptance (angular resolution for forward scattering) of the apparatus.

Characteristics of the compact plasma device AIT‐PID with multicusp magnetic confinement

AbstractA unique plasma‐generation device called the “Aichi Institute of Technology‐Plasma Irradiation Device” has been developed for plasma–wall interaction (PWI) studies toward realization of a fusion reactor. It has power‐saving characteristics as well as compactness due to the employment of a multicusp magnetic field configuration instead of a strong axial magnetic field. Helium as well as argon plasmas are generated, showing an outstanding property of production of the hot‐electron component which can be controlled by changing the working gas pressure. Utilizing such outstanding properties, some typical studies on PWI are introduced. An azimuthally asymmetric confinement depending on the direction of magnetic field lines, particularly for energetic electrons, has been found. Some discussions on the physical mechanisms are given. IEEJ Trans 2011 DOI: 10.1002/tee.21801

Turbulent coronal heating mechanisms: coupling of dynamics and thermodynamics

Context. Photospheric motions shuffle the footpoints of the strong axial magnetic field that threads coronal loops giving rise to turbulent nonlinear dynamics characterized by the continuous formation and dissipation of field-aligned current sheets where energy is deposited at small-scales and the heating occurs. Previous studies show that current sheets thickness is orders of magnitude smaller than current state of the art observational resolution (~700 km). Aim. In order to understand coronal heating and interpret correctly observations it is crucial to study the thermodynamics of such a system where energy is deposited at unresolved small-scales. Methods. Fully compressible three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulations are carried out to understand the thermodynamics of coronal heating in the magnetically confined solar corona. Results. We show that temperature is highly structured at scales below observational resolution and nonhomogeneously distributed so that only a fraction of the coronal mass and volume gets heated at each time. Conclusions. This is a multi-thermal system where hotter and cooler plasma strands are found one next to the other also at sub-resolution scales and exhibit a temporal dynamics.

Numerical studies of a plasma diode with external forcing

With reference to laboratory Q-machine studies we analyze the dynamics of a plasma diode under external forcing. Assuming a strong axial magnetic field, the problem is analyzed in one spatial dimension by a particle-in-cell code. The cathode is assumed to be operated in electron rich conditions, supplying an abundance of electrons. We compare different forcing schemes with the results obtained by solving the van der Pol equation. In one method of forcing we apply an oscillation in addition to the DC end plate bias and consider both amplitude and frequency variations. An alternative method of perturbation consists of modelling an absorbing grid at some internal position. Also in this case we can have a constant frequency with varying amplitude or alternatively an oscillation with chirped frequency but constant amplitude. We find that the overall features of the forced van der Pol equation are recovered, but the details in the plasma response need more attention to the harmonic responses, requiring extensions of the model equation. The analysis is extended by introducing collisional effects, where we emphasize charge exchange collisions of ions, since these processes usually have the largest cross sections and give significant modifications of the diode performance. In particular we find a reduction in oscillator frequency, although a linear scaling of the oscillation time with the system length remains also in this case.

Limiting current of axisymmetric relativistic charged-particle beam propagating in strong axial magnetic field in coaxial drift tube

In the strong axial magnetic field approximation, we calculate the space-charge limited (SCL) current of axisymmetric relativistic charged-particle beam in a coaxial drift tube of finite length. Results are compared to analytical estimates and numerical modeling of SCL current in the infinitely long drift tube. For the infinitely long drift tube, which inner conductor is biased and the outer conductor is lined with a finite-width dielectric insert, analytic approximations for the SCL current in the bias voltage are developed.

Observation of a Free-Shercliff-Layer Instability in Cylindrical Geometry

We report on observations of a free-Shercliff-layer instability in a Taylor-Couette experiment using a liquid metal over a wide range of Reynolds numbers, Re∼10(3)-10(6). The free Shercliff layer is formed by imposing a sufficiently strong axial magnetic field across a pair of differentially rotating axial end cap rings. This layer is destabilized by a hydrodynamic Kelvin-Helmholtz-type instability, characterized by velocity fluctuations in the r-θ plane. The instability appears with an Elsasser number above unity, and saturates with an azimuthal mode number m which increases with the Elsasser number. Measurements of the structure agree well with 2D global linear mode analyses and 3D global nonlinear simulations. These observations have implications for a range of rotating MHD systems in which similar shear layers may be produced.

Optimal transient disturbances behind a circular cylinder in a quasi-two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic duct flow

The transient response of optimal linear perturbations of liquid metal flow under a strong axial magnetic field in an electrically insulated rectangular duct is considered. The focus is on the subcritical regime, below the onset of von Kármán vortex shedding, to determine the role of optimal disturbances in developing wake instabilities. In this configuration, the flow is quasi-two-dimensional and can be solved over a two-dimensional domain. Parameter ranges considered include Reynolds numbers \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$50 \le \mbox{\textit {Re}}\lesssim 2100$\end{document}50≤Re≲2100, modified Hartmann numbers \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$50 \le {\mbox{\textit {Ha}}^\star }\lesssim 500$\end{document}50≤Ha★≲500, and blockage ratios 0.1 ⩽ β ⩽ 0.4. In some instances, the optimal disturbances are found to generate energy growth of greater than four orders of magnitude. Variation in the wake recirculation length in the steady flow regime is determined as a function of Reynolds number, Hartman number, and blockage ratio, and a universal expression is proposed. For all β, the energy amplification of the disturbances is found to decrease significantly with increasing Hartmann number and the peak growth shifts towards smaller times. The optimal initial disturbances are consistently located in the vicinity of the boundary layer separation from the cylinder, and the structure of these disturbances is consistent for all Hartmann numbers and blockage ratios considered in this study. The time evolution of the optimal perturbations is presented, and is shown to correspond to sinuous oscillations of the shear layer downstream of the wake recirculation. The critical Reynolds number for the onset of growth at different Hartmann numbers and blockage ratios is determined. It is found that it increases rapidly with increasing Hartmann number and blockage ratio. For all β, the peak energy amplification grows exponentially with \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$\mbox{\textit {Re}}$\end{document}Re at low and high Hartmann numbers. Direct numerical simulation in which the inflow is perturbed by a random white noise confirms the predictions arising from the transient growth analysis: that is, the perturbation excites and feeds energy into the global mode.

Liner-on-plasma system near stagnation: Stabilizing effect of a magnetic cushion

This brief communication is concerned with the adiabatic compression of a high-beta plasma by a heavy liner. Elongated cylindrical and quasi-cylindrical geometries are considered. The magnetic field in a plasma is parallel to the axis, whereas the drive field has azimuthal direction. During the liner acceleration, the most dangerous modes are axisymmetric (m = 0) modes. Near stagnation, these modes are further amplified at the inner surface, as the liner is decelerated by the isotropic pressure of a high-beta plasma. This picture, however, is not complete: due to a heat loss from the plasma core to the relatively cold liner, a zone of a strong axial magnetic field may appear between a hot, high-beta plasma and a cold liner. This magnetic cushion is backed from inside by a very high-beta plasma. The stability of such a system with respect to m = 0 modes is studied and the conclusion is drawn that the stabilizing effect of the magnetic cushion remains strong even for relatively thin cushions and moderate magnetic fields in them.