Edge Biasing of Field Reversed Configuration Plasma

Edge-biasing applied to Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) plasma can mitigate instabilities and improve particle and energy confinement. We propose to use a biasing electrode to actively control the plasma on the FRC Amplification via Translation (FAT) device at Nihon University. The objective of the project will be to experimentally verify the possibility of global and microscopic plasma stability by applying edge-biasing onto an FRC in the FAT-FRC facility. The electrode must be capable of applying different electric potentials onto the magnetic surfaces in order to generate a suitable radial electric field. Detailed design work including the calculation of the magnetic field structure will be conducted prior to the experiment. Coaxial layered electrodes will be designed and installed in the FAT-FRC device. Plasma diagnostic measurements will be made in order to evaluate the properties of the plasma during the experiment. The results will be analyzed and compared with theoretical predictions.

Faculty Supervisor:

Jordan Morelli

Student:

Partner:

Nihon University

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Education

University:

Queen's University

Program: