Investigation of Plasma Flow Characteristics during Helicon Discharge Generation in a Multicusp Magnetic Trap
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24160/1993-6982-2026-3-119-129Keywords:
steady-state plasma discharge, plasma linear multicusp, helicon antenna, electric probe, plasma electron temperature, plasma densityAbstract
Experimental studies were conducted on the PLM-M (Plasma Linear Multicusp) facility to identify operating modes for efficient generation and acceleration of plasma flows using a helicon antenna for high-frequency plasma heating and acceleration. Plasma parameters were diagnosed using a Langmuir electric probe. A range of operating pressures for the plasma-forming gas has been identified, at which the plasma flow parameters, including density and Mach number, reach their maximum values. The Mach number dependence on the plasma-forming gas pressure for various discharge modes has been obtained. The thrust of the plasma flow expanding from the magnetic confinement zone into the receiver chamber free vacuum volume has been measured.
References
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Для цитирования: Чан К.В., Федорович С.Д., Будаев В.П., Кавыршин Д.И., Лукашевский М.В., Рогозин К.А., Голов Я.А., Лебединский Л.В., Гогинашвили А.Т. Исследование характеристик потока плазмы при генерации геликонного разряда в мультикасповой магнитной ловушке // Вестник МЭИ. 2026. № 3. С. 119—129. DOI: 10.24160/1993-6982-2026-3-119-129
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Работа выполнена в рамках Госзадания № FSWF-2025-0001
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6. Crowley B. e. a. Measurement of the Electron Energy Distribution Function by a Langmuir Probe in an ITER-like Hydrogen Negative Ion Source. Nuclear Fusion. 2006;46(6):S307—S312.
7. Branner G.R., Friar E.M., Medicus G. Automatic Plotting Device for the Second Derivative of Langmuir Probe Curves. Rev. Sci. Instrum. 1963;34(3):231—237.
8. Demidov V.I., Ratynskaia S.V., Rypdal K. Electric Probes for Plasmas: the Link between Theory and Instrument. Rev. Sci. Instrum. 2002;73(10):3409—3439.
9. Magnus F., Gudmundsson J.T. Digital Smoothing of the Langmuir Probe I−V Characteristic. Rev. Sci. Instrum. 2008;79(7):073503.
10. Chen F.F. Helicon Discharges and Sources: a Review. Plasma Sources Sci. Technol. 2015;24(1):014001.
11. Kuz'min E.I., Shihovtsev I.V. Gelikonnyy Istochnik Plotnoy Plazmy dlya Lineynyh Plazmennyh Ustanovok. Fizika Plazmy. 2021;47(6):507—517. (in Russian).
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13. Inutake M. e. a. Development of Supersonic Plasma Flows by Use of a Magnetic Nozzle and an ICRF Heating. Proc. XII Intern. Congress Plasma Phys. Nice, 2004
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For citation: Tran Q.V., Fedorovich S.D., Budaev V.P., Kavyrshin D.I., Lukashevsky M.V., Rogozin K.A., Golov Ya.A., Lebedinsky L.V., Goginashvili A.T. Investigation of Plasma Flow Characteristics during Helicon Discharge Generation in a Multicusp Magnetic Trap. Bulletin of MPEI. 2026;3:119—129. (in Russian). DOI: 10.24160/1993-6982-2026-3-119-129
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The Work was Carried Out as Part of State Task No. FSWF-2025-0001.

