Experimental demonstration of plasma detachment from a magnetic nozzle

POSTER

Abstract

We have demonstrated the detachment of a magnetized plasma from a magnetic nozzle, that is, the plasma has expanded from a region of high magnetic field to a location where the plasma kinetic energy is higher than the local magnetic field pressure. Interferometers, Mach probes, Langmuir probes, flux probes and magnetic field probes follow the flow of the plasma as it expands in the magnetic nozzle. Experimental results will be compared with theoretical models.

*Research supported in part by NASA.

Authors

  • Roger D. Bengtson

    • University of Texas at Austin

  • Boris Breizman

    • Institute for Fusion Studies, University of Texas at Austin
    • UT Austin

  • Jackie L. Meyer

    • University of Texas at Austin

  • D. Gregory Chavers

  • Chris C. Dobson

  • Jonathan E. Jones

    • NASA/Maarshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL

  • Adam K. Martiin

    • NASA/Maarshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL

  • Jason Cassibry

  • Zhongmin Li

  • Branwen Scheuttpelz

    • University of Alabama, Huntsville AL

  • Christopher A. Deline

    • University of Michigan