Initial experiments using radial foils on the Cornell Beam Research Accelerator pulsed power generator

P.-A. Gourdain, I. C. Blesener, J. B. Greenly et al

A novel technique involving radial foil explosions can produce high energy density plasmas. The specifics of radial foil explosions are discussed, presenting the first experimental results obtained on the Cornell Beam Research Accelerator (COBRA). Laser shadowgraphy and interferometry, gated extreme ultraviolet imaging and miniature Bdot probes are used to investigate the magnetohydrodynamics properties of such configurations.

Phys. Plasmas 17, 012706 (2010)

Making relativistic positrons using ultraintense short pulse lasers

Hui Chen, S. C. Wilks, J. D. Bonlie et al.

A new positron source using ultraintense short pulse lasers is described. For a wide range of applications, this new laser-based positron source with its unique characteristics may complement the existing sources based on radioactive isotopes and accelerators.

Phys. Plasmas 16, 122702 (2009)

Numerical investigation of electron trajectories in the Columbia Non-neutral Torus

Benoit Durand de Gevigney, Thomas Sunn Pedersen, and Allen H. Boozer

The confinement of pure electron plasmas in the Columbia Non-neutral Torus (CNT) [T. Sunn Pedersen et al., Fusion Sci. Technol. 50, 372 (2006)] can be enhanced by the large radial electric field due to space charge. However the benefits are limited by two effects: (1) The E×B precession can, at low B-fields, resonate with the particle motion along the magnetic field lines, which gives large excursions in the trajectories. (2) Variations in the electric potential on magnetic surfaces, inherent to CNT equilibrium, add to the complexity of the trajectories and can also lead to large excursions. The second effect is sensitive to the conductive structures outside the plasma boundary. Results from a new code to investigate electron trajectories in the magnetic and electric field expected in CNT are presented.

Phys. Plasmas 16, 122502 (2009)