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Magnetic Confinement of an Ultracold Neutral Plasma

Authors :
Gorman, G. M.
Warrens, M. K.
Bradshaw, S. J.
Killian, T. C.
Source :
Phys. Rev. Lett. 126, 085002 (2021)
Publication Year :
2020

Abstract

We demonstrate magnetic confinement of an ultracold neutral plasma (UCNP) created at the null of a biconic cusp, or quadrupole magnetic field. Initially, the UCNP expands due to electron thermal pressure. As the plasma encounters stronger fields, expansion slows and the density distribution molds to the field. UCNP electrons are strongly magnetized over most of the plasma, while ion magnetization is only significant at the boundaries. Observations suggest that electrons and ions are predominantly trapped by magnetic mirroring and ambipolar electric fields respectively. Confinement times approach 0.5 ms, while unmagnetized plasmas dissipate on a timescale of a few tens of microseconds.<br />Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures

Details

Database :
arXiv
Journal :
Phys. Rev. Lett. 126, 085002 (2021)
Publication Type :
Report
Accession number :
edsarx.2010.16355
Document Type :
Working Paper
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.126.085002