Progress of STPX Discharges and Diagnostic Systems

The Spheromak Turbulent Physics Experiment (STPX) at Florida A{\&}M University is currently ramping up plasma operations and diagnostic testing. STPX is a large radius (1.5m), magnetic confinement device, capable of creating fusion-relevant and astrophysical-related spheromak plasmas. We have measurements and simulations of the formation banks and bias magnetic field coils. dB/dt coils provided by WVU have been calibrated and a Langmuir triple probe developed by Auburn University is providing density and temperature measurements with a saturation coil array providing a rough density profile. A CO$_{\mathrm{2}}$ interferometer has been installed to corroborate the density measurements and a mechelle spectrometer is providing spectral line data. CORSICA simulations of STPX plasmas have begun.