An experiment to investigate parametric interaction and mixing of microwaves in plasma

POSTER

Abstract

Building on earlier research, investigating the mechansim for Auroral Kilometric Radiation [1,2], a “linear plasma” experiment is being developed to investigate the coupling of multiple microwave beams in magnetised plasma. The magnetic flux desnity is expected to reach 0.09T. The plasma will be generated by a helicon system using a 'flat sprial' type of antenna. This will produce a large (~0.5m diameter, 2-3m long), dense, cool plasma, potentially with a high ionisation fraction. Microwave beams from fixed frequency magnetrons and wideband TWT ampligiers will be used in multi-signal interaction experiments. The paper will present progress on this system. [1] Ronald K., Speirs D.C., McConville S.L., Phelps A.D.R., Robertson C.W., Whyte C.G., He W., Gillespie K.M., Cross A.W., Bingham R., 2008, Phys. Plasmas, 15, art.056503 [2] Speirs D.C., Bingham R., Cairns R.A., Vorgul I., Kellett B.J., Phelps A.D.R., Ronald K., 2014, Phys. Rev. Lett., 113, art 155002

*The authors gratefully acknowledge support from the UK EPSRC (EP/R004773/1), MBDA UK Ltd and TMD Technologies Ltd.

Authors

  • Kevin Ronald

    • University of Strathclyde

  • Kieran Wilson

    • University of Strathclyde

  • Colin Whyte

    • University of Strathclyde

  • Mark Koepke

    • West Virginia University

  • Alan Phelps

    • University of Strathclyde

  • Alan Cairns

    • University of St Andrews

  • Robert Bingham

    • Rutherford Appleton Laboratory

  • Bengt Eliasson

    • University of Strathclyde

  • Adrian Cross

    • University of Strathclyde

  • Craig Robertson

    • University of Strathclyde

  • Philip MacInnes

    • University of Strathclyde

  • David Speirs

    • University of Strathclyde

  • Ruth Bamford

    • Rutherford Appleton Laboratory