Waves and instabilities in high β, warm ion plasmas in LAPD

Abstract:

The LArge Plasma Device (LAPD) has been upgraded with a second LaB₆ cathode plasma source that permits the creation of higher density (~ 3×10¹³ cm^-3), higher temperature (T_e ~ 12eV), warm ion (T_i ~ 6eV) plasmas. Along with lowered magnetic field, significant increases in plasma β can be achieved with this new source (e.g. at B=100G, β~1). These new plasma conditions permit a range of new experimental opportunities on LAPD including: linear and nonlinear studies of Alfvén waves in warm ion, high β plasmas; pressure-gradient driven instabilities in increased β plasmas and electromagnetic modifications to turbulence and transport; instabilities driven by ion temperature anisotropies (e.g. firehose and mirror instabilities). The characteristics of the new plasma will be presented along with a discussion of these new research areas.