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Progress in the Development of a High Power Helicon Plasma Source for the Materials Plasma Exposure Experiment

Authors :
Goulding, R. H.
Caughman, J. B. O.
Rapp, J.
Biewer, T. M.
Bigelow, T. S.
Campbell, I. H.
Caneses, J. F.
Donovan, D.
Kafle, N.
Martin, E. H.
Ray, H. B.
Shaw, G. C.
Showers, M. A.
Source :
Fusion Science and Technology; November 2017, Vol. 72 Issue: 4 p588-594, 7p
Publication Year :
2017

Abstract

AbstractProto-MPEX is a linear plasma device being used to study a novel RF source concept for the planned Material Plasma Exposure eXperiment (MPEX), which will address plasma-materials interaction (PMI) for nuclear fusion reactors. Plasmas are produced using a large diameter helicon source operating at a frequency of 13.56 MHz at power levels up to 120 kW. In recent experiments the helicon source has produced deuterium plasmas with densities up to ~6 × 1019 m–3measured at a location 2 m downstream from the antenna and 0.4 m from the target. Previous plasma production experiments on Proto-MPEX have generated lower density plasmas with hollow electron temperature profiles and target power deposition peaked far off axis. The latest experiments have produced flat Teprofiles with a large portion of the power deposited on the target near the axis. This and other evidence points to the excitation of a helicon mode in this case.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
15361055
Volume :
72
Issue :
4
Database :
Supplemental Index
Journal :
Fusion Science and Technology
Publication Type :
Periodical
Accession number :
ejs43526817
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1080/15361055.2017.1352429