Waves and instabilities in high $\beta$, warm ion plasmas in LAPD

The LArge Plasma Device (LAPD) has been upgraded with a second LaB$_6$ cathode plasma source that permits the creation of higher density ($\sim 3\times 10^{13}$cm$^{-3}$), higher temperature ($T_e \sim 12$eV), warm ion ($T_i\sim 6$eV) plasmas. Along with lowered magnetic field, significant increases in plasma $\beta$ can be achieved with this new source (e.g. at $B=100G$, $\beta \sim 1$). These new plasma conditions permit a range of new experimental opportunities on LAPD including: linear and nonlinear studies of Alfv\'{e}n waves in warm ion, high $\beta$ plasmas; pressure-gradient driven instabilities in increased $\beta$ plasmas and electromagnetic modifications to turbulence and transport; instabilities driven by ion temperature anisotropies (e.g. firehose and mirror instabilities). The characteristics of the new plasma will be presented along with a discussion of these new research areas.