The HelCat dual-source plasma device.
The HelCat (Helicon-Cathode) device has been constructed to support a broad range of basic plasma science experiments relevant to the areas of solar physics, laboratory astrophysics, plasma nonlinear dynamics, and turbulence. These research topics require a relatively large plasma source capable of operating over a broad region of parameter space with a plasma duration up to at least several milliseconds. To achieve these parameters a novel dual-source system was developed utilizing both helicon and thermionic cathode sources. Plasma parameters of n(e) approximately 0.5-50 x 10(18) m(-3) and T(e) approximately 3-12 eV allow access to a wide range of collisionalities important to the research. The HelCat device and initial characterization of plasma behavior during dual-source operation are described.
Lynn
Alan G
AG
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA.
Gilmore
Mark
M
Watts
Christopher
C
Herrea
Janis
J
Kelly
Ralph
R
Will
Steve
S
Xie
Shuangwei
S
Yan
Lincan
L
Zhang
Yue
Y