Magnetic reconnection Outflow Impulse Analysis on MRX System

Fast plasmoid-mediated magnetic reconnection has been proposed for plasma propulsion, enabling higher specific impulse than chemical rockets while providing greater thrust than other plasma propulsion systems such as Hall thrusters. [F. Ebrahimi JPP, 2020]. To verify the relationship between energy released into bulk outflows through magnetic reconnection and the reconnecting magnetic field in a laboratory setting, a poloidal field (PF) scan was conducted on the Magnetic Reconnection Experiment (MRX) at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL). This study looked at the measured field strength across the current sheet at the X-point compared to the energy released during reconnection. Using the current passing through the current sheet, the time frame where the reconnection process was at its maximum was found. The generated impulse during this time period was then compared with the magnetic field strength. The data showed a greater than linear relationship between the magnetic field and the generated impulse from reconnection. This adds to the evidence that reconnection has the potential to act as a propulsion source. Work supported by DOE, DE-SC0025625 and DE-AC02-09CH11466.