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High Power Light Gas Helicon Plasma Source for VASIMRIn the Advanced Space Propulsion Laboratory (ASPL) helicon experiment (VX-10) we have measured a plasma flux to input gas rate ratio near 100% for both helium and deuterium at power levels up to 10 kW. Recent results at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) show enhanced efficiency operation with a high power density, over 5 kW in a 5 cm diameter tube. Our helicon is presently 9 cm in diameter and operates up to 10 kW of input power. The data here uses a Boswell double-saddle antenna design with a magnetic cusp just upstream of the antenna. Similar to ORNL, for deuterium at near 10 kW, we find an enhanced performance of operation at magnetic fields above the lower hybrid matching condition.
Document ID
20060023311
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Squire, Jared P.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Chang-Diaz, Franklin R.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Glover, Timothy W.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Jacobson, Verlin T.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Baity, F. Wally
(Oak Ridge National Lab. TN, United States)
Carter, Mark D.
(Oak Ridge National Lab. TN, United States)
Goulding, Richard H.
(Oak Ridge National Lab. TN, United States)
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2004
Subject Category
Plasma Physics
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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