The HelCat dual-source plasma device

Abstract

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.

Simulation of plasma turbulence in scrape-off layer conditions: the GBS code, simulation results and code validation

“…While GBS is still being applied to carry out simulations of basic plasma experiments, including other devices than the ones mentioned here, for instance the HelCat device [81], progress is being made in order to represent more accurately the SOL configuration. In particular, we are introducing in GBS finite aspect ratio effects, magnetic shear, and finite T i effects.…”

Potential of a plasma bound between two biased walls

“…Time-independent biasing is used in plasma experiments for different purposes, namely for the measure of the ion and electron temperatures with electrostatic probes, 2,3 in plasma thrusters for space propulsion, 4 to study the effect of shear flow on turbulence, [6][7][8][9] for the study of dust particles, 5 and for the control of turbulence in magnetic fusion devices. [10][11][12] A bias may induce local perturbations of the plasma potential.…”

Numerical simulation and analysis of plasma turbulence the Large Plasma Device

“…Linear plasma devices such as the Large Plasma Device (LAPD), 1 Controlled Shear Decorrelation Experiment (CSDX), 2 Versatile Instrument for studies on Nonlinearity, Electromagnetism, Turbulence and Applications (VINETA), 3 Large Mirror Device (LMD), 4 Helicon-Cathode Dual-Source Basic Plasma Physics Device (HelCat), 5 and Mirabelle 6 offer an opportunity to validate turbulence and transport simulations in simple geometry and with boundary conditions and plasma parameters with reasonable relevance to tokamak edge and scrape-off-layer plasmas. Thanks to their low temperature, these devices are highly diagnosable, providing for detailed comparison against code predictions.…”