Study of the low-frequency ion-cyclotron turbulence in a cylindrical plasma magnetically confined

A cylindrical column of magnetized plasma is produced by means of the hot cathode laboratory device MISTRAL using various gases (Neon, Argon, Krypton). In usual experimental conditions, strongly nonlinear low frequency instabilities in the ion cyclotron range are recorded. A transition towards ion cyclotron turbulence appears to be triggered by a threshold value of the radial electric field. In order to investigate the characteristics of the instabilities and the phenomena responsible for the destabilization of the plasma column, detailed measurements are performed using various diagnostics (probe arrays, ultra-fast and intensified cameras, Laser Induced Fluorescence, spectroscopy, microwave resonance). The results are compared with both a theoretical model of the ion cyclotron instability and Particle in Cell simulation of the instability.