Plasma structure deformation due to injection of a strong plasma pulse in a detached plasma

Linear machine experiments have been performed to investigate the physical condition for the detached plasma formation[1,2]. A recent experiment reveals collapse of the detached plasma due to injection of a strong plasma pulse and subsequent regeneration.

We have developed PIC simulation code with Monte Carlo collision to investigate microscopic physical processes in the detached plasma formation and observed the formation of a large temperature gradient[3]. We extended the above code to include plasma pulse and observed time evolution of the plasma structure. It is found that a strong plasma pulse creates a potential hill in front of the target and, as a result, ions are decelerated.

[1] W. L. Hsu et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 49, 1001 (1982).

[2] N. Ohno et al., Nuclear Fusion 41, 1055 (2001).

[3] T. Pianpanit et al., Plasma and Fusion Res. 11, 2403040 (2016).