Status of the Wisconsin Plasma Astrophysics Laboratory

The Wisconsin Plasma Astrophysics Laboratory (WiPAL) is a facility that now encompasses a collection of novel plasma astrophysics experimental configurations. In the MPDX configuration large, un-magnetized, fast flowing, hot plasma is being used to investigate a variety of flow driven MHD instabilities. The experiment is 3 meters in diameter and utilizes a permanent magnet multicusp plasma confinement. Five 20KW, 2.45 GHz, CW magnetrons produce electron cyclotron heating for plasma generation. Ten lanthanum hexaboride (LaB6) stirring rods and molybdenum anodes are inserted into the vessel to produce JxB flows. The chamber has a variety of multiuse ports, and is able to split open to allow experimental apparatus to be inserted. This poster will describe recent improvements to the laboratory. We will also provide an overview of existing and future experimental configurations including: reconnection (TREX); acoustic and Alfven wave propagation in connection with helioseismology; pulsar and stellar wind launching from a rotating dipolar magnetosphere; jet formation and propagation into background plasma; and small-scale, high power helicity injection.