Auxiliary Heating of aθ-Pinch Plasma by Radial Magnetoacoustic Standing Waves

Abstract

Auxiliary heating of a linear $\theta$-pinch plasma column by an externally driven radial magnetoacoustic oscillation has been experimentally investigated. The axial field of the $\theta$ pinch was modulated in time at the frequency of the plasma's fundamental radial magnetoacoustic oscillation. The dissipation in the plasma column was sufficient to transfer into the plasma at least 9% of the energy stored in the auxiliary capacitor bank used to drive the oscillation.