Axial velocity measurements of plasma plumes in the Bryn Mawr Magnetohydrodynamic Experiment (BMX)

POSTER

Abstract

Using a two-point correlation method, the axial velocity of turbulent plasma launched into a flux-conserving chamber by a magnetized coaxial plasma gun can be determined. Magnetic field measurements are made using an array of pickup coils inserted radially into the chamber and arrayed axially. The velocities for multiple shots were calculated using known separation distance between probes and a delay time computed from the position of the peak of the cross-correlation function of magnetic fluctuations of the adjacent probes. The distributions of velocities for multiple shots was determined for multiple shots and scanned for time periods within a shot and axially away from the source.

*This work is supported by the NSF-DOE Partnership in Basic Plasma and by an NSF CAREER Award

Authors

  • Leah Baker

    • Bryn Mawr College
  • David Schaffner

    • Bryn Mawr College
  • Carlos Cartagena-Sanchez

    • Bryn Mawr College
  • Fariha Tamboli

    • Bryn Mawr College
  • Cat Slanski

    • Bryn Mawr College
  • Maise Shepard

    • Bryn Mawr College