Magnetic field mapping using thermionic emission LaB₆ cathode in the DPLX and ECLAIR experiments

We report on a new diagnostic design to visualize static and dynamic magnetic flux surface configurations using thermionic emission. The initial experiments will be conducted in the UMBC Dusty Plasma Experiment (DPLX) chamber, utilizing a static magnetic mirror configuration and a lanthanum hexaboride (LaB₆) cathode. We will compare the data to magnetostatic ANSYS Maxwell simulations. The diagnostic design will be further adapted to visualize translating magnetic mirror fields in the ECLAIR [1] experiment designed to test the Helicity Drive [2] magneto-inertial fusion concept. The thermionic emission LaB₆ cathode diagnostic will aid in analyzing magnetic field changes during a double pulse discharge in the magnetic compressor nozzle. The LaB₆ cathode data will be compared to calculations and B-dot probe measurements. We would like to acknowledge A. Card and E. V. Stenson from the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics for their help with the diagnostic design.

[1] See posters by: J. Samaniego; S. Pree; A. Sellner et al. In this session.

[2] S. You. “Helicity Drive: A Novel Scalable Fusion Concept for Deep Space Propulsion''. In: AIAA Propulsion and Energy 2020 Forum. 2020, p. 3835.