Experiment to Study Alfv\'{e}n Wave Propagation in Plasma Loops

Solar coronal loops are simulated in the laboratory using pulsed power techniques [1]. We are now developing a method to excite propagating Alfv\'{e}n wave modes by superposing a current pulse of roughly 10kA and width 100ns upon the $\sim $50kA, 10 microsecond main discharge current that flows along the $\sim $10cm long, 1cm diameter arched flux tube. To achieve this short 100ns pulsed timescale at such high power, a magnetic pulse compression technique based on saturable reactors will be employed. A low power prototype has been successfully tested, and design and construction of a full-power device is underway. Upon completion, the fast current pulse device will be used to investigate interactions between the Alfv\'{e}n waves and the larger-scale loop evolution. Particular attention will be paid to wave propagation including dispersion and reflection, as well as dissipation mechanisms and possible energetic particle generation.\\[4pt] [1] J. F. Hansen, S. K. P. Tripathi, P. M. Bellan, ``Co- and Counter-helicity Interaction Between Two Adjacent Laboratory Prominences,'' \textit{Phys. Plasmas}, vol. 11, issue 6, p. 3177 (2004)