Results of the inner electrode modification on the ZaP flow Z-Pinch

S. D. Knecht, U. Shumlak, B. J. Chan, R. P. Golingo, B. A. Nelson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The ZaP Flow Z-Pinch is a basic plasma physics experiment that uses sheared flows to stabilize an otherwise unstable configuration. The inner electrode is replaced with a larger version (15 cm diameter presently versus 10 cm previously). The goal of this modification is to increase temperature through increased adiabatic compression and to allow greater flexibility of neutral-gas injection through a greater number of gas-puff valves. Results are presented regarding the effect of neutral-gas injection characteristics and charge voltage on pinch stability. Increasing capacitor bank voltage and mass of gas injected increases stability and proximity to the machine axis. A four-chord HeNe interferometer is used to determine density at z = 0 cm and total temperature using magnetic field information from the z = 0 azimuthal array of magnetic probes. Total temperatures of 100-150 eV and densities of 2-3 × 10 22 m -3 are calculated; temperatures are consistent with measured electron and ion temperatures.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)175-178
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Fusion Energy
Volume28
Issue number2 SPEC. ISS.
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2009

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Nuclear and High Energy Physics
  • Nuclear Energy and Engineering

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