Characterization and Overview of the Helcat (Helicon-Cathode) Dual Source Linear Plasma Device

Author

Gilmore, M. ; Watts, C. ; Xie, S. ; Yan, L. ; Lynn, A.G. ; Kelly, R. ; Zhang, Y. ; Cueto, M.Y. ; Herrera, J. ; Hollowell, J.M. ; Kadlec, E.A.

Author_Institution

Univ. of New Mexico, Albuquerque

fYear

2007

Firstpage

171

Lastpage

171

Abstract

Summary form only given. The HELCAT (helicon-cathode) device is a dual-source linear plasma device that has recently begun full operation at the University of New Mexico. HELCAT is 4 m long, 50 cm diameter, with axial magnetic field < 2.2 kG. An RF helicon source of tunable frequency 10 -30 MHz and P < 5 kW, resides at one end of the device, while a thermionic BaO-Ni cathode capable of discharge currents up to 2.5 kA is located at the other end. Nominal parameters are: T_e ~ 5 -10 eV, n_e ~ 10¹² /cc (cathode), 10¹³ - 10¹⁴ /cc (helicon), plasma diameter 15-20 cm. An overview of the device characteristics and initial experimental results are presented.

Keywords

plasma devices; plasma sources; thermionic cathodes; HELCAT device; RF helicon source; University of New Mexico; axial magnetic field; discharge currents; frequency 10 MHz to 30 MHz; helicon-cathode dual source linear plasma device; size 15 cm to 20 cm; thermionic cathode; Cathodes; Magnetic fields; Physics; Plasma density; Plasma devices; Plasma diagnostics; Plasma properties; Plasma transport processes; Plasma waves; USA Councils;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Plasma Science, 2007. ICOPS 2007. IEEE 34th International Conference on

Conference_Location

Albuquerque, NM

ISSN

0730-9244

Print_ISBN

978-1-4244-0915-0

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/PPPS.2007.4345477

Filename

4345477