Analysis of First Plasma in Madison Plasma Dynamo Experiment

The Madison Plasma Dynamo Experiment (MPDX) is designed to investigate the self-generation of magnetic fields in large astrophysical dynamos. Simulations show that an adequately large Magnetic Reynolds number is needed to produce a dynamo; therefore a large, hot, flowing and unmagnetized plasma is necessary. This poster presents an analysis of the first plasma in MPDX using electrodes that both heat and stir the plasma. A lanthanum hexaboride (LaB$_6$) electron source is used within the 3000 Gauss multipole cusp magnetic field and E$\times$B stirring electrodes govern the plasma flow. This poster analyzes the performance of the efficient and fast power supply used in conjunction with the stirring electrodes to create a controllable flow using a feedback loop. In addition, the effectiveness of the LaB$_6$ electron source will be reported. Supported by the DOE and NSF.