Large density amplification measured on jets ejected from a magnetized plasma gun

Observation of a large density amplification in the collimating plasma jet ejected from a coplanar coaxial plasma gun is reported. The jet velocity is ∼30 km s−1 and the electron density increases from ∼1020 to 1022–23 m−3. In previous spheromak experiments, electron density of the order 1019–21 m−3 had been measured in the flux conserver region, but no density measurement had been reported for the source gun region. The coplanar geometry of our electrodes permits direct observation of the entire plasma dynamics including the source region. Analysis of Stark broadened spectral lines shows that the electron density increases by a factor of 100 as the jet collimates, with a peak density of up to 1022–23 m−3. The observed density amplification is interpreted according to an MHD theory that explains collimation of current-carrying plasma-filled magnetic flux tubes. Issues affecting interpretation of Stark broadened line profiles and the possibility of using the high-density plasma jet for tokamak fuel injection are discussed. PACS numbers: 95.30.Qd, 52.30.-q, 52.72.+v, 52.70.Kz (Some figures in this article are in colour only in the electronic version)