The Torsional Magnetic Reconnection Experiment

Three-dimensional torsional magnetic reconnection (TMR) forms high-energy jets along open magnetic field lines in astrophysical plasmas, which is a key gap in previous experimental 2D magnetic reconnection studies. This work is a collaboration between SpaceWave, LLC and the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) representing the first controlled experiment of 3D TMR. Understanding the forced interactions between plasma and strong magnetic fields in this novel TMR geometry will demonstrate and diagnose collimated plasma jets accelerated along open field lines. SpaceWave has successfully tested a prototype experiment consisting of a coaxial plasma gun (CPG) within a 3D fan-spine null point magnetic field coil array that is designed for inducing TMR. Combining the plasma physics diagnostics and modeling capabilities of both SpaceWave and UAH, the team will upgrade the TMR experiment with (1) optimized CPG gas puff injection, (2) reliable trigger simultaneity using solid-state switches, (3) precision-geometry strong magnetic fields, and (4) advanced plasma parameter diagnostics. The results of this project will contribute to basic plasma science and also develop a technology for creating high speed plasma jets at centimeter-to-meter scales, which are useful for various applications including in-space propulsion and fusion. The SpaceWave-UAH relationship will facilitate an industry-academic partnership to rapidly advance the state-of-the-art TMR experimental infrastructure.