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Research at UHCLResearch at UHCL
- Current Application Focus- Current Application Focus
LegendaLegenda = = mmee//mmii is the mass ratio is the mass ratio
00 and and 00 are the permeability and permittivity of free space are the permeability and permittivity of free space
nn is the number density is the number density is the mass densityis the mass densityvv is the center of mass velocity is the center of mass velocityBB is the magnetic flux density is the magnetic flux densityEE is the electric field is the electric fieldJJ is the current density is the current densitypp is the scalar pressure is the scalar pressureQ is the heat fluxQ is the heat flux is the electrical resistivityis the electrical resistivityP’P’==ppII++, , II is the unit tensor is the unit tensor
is the symmetric, traceless part of the stress tensoris the symmetric, traceless part of the stress tensor
MHD Plasma SimulationMHD Plasma Simulation
Magnetic Reconnection Leading to DetachmentMagnetic Reconnection Leading to Detachment
Reconnection Studies: Magnetic Nozzle PerturbationReconnection Studies: Magnetic Nozzle Perturbation
• The plasma The plasma detachmentdetachment in the nozzle is induced in a controlled in the nozzle is induced in a controlled way, through the formation of a sequence of FRC way, through the formation of a sequence of FRC plasmoidsplasmoids. .
Plasma Accelerator FRC Formation Coil
Accelerated Plasma FRC Plasmoid
Simulation HardwareSimulation Hardware
• ““Columbia” at NASA-Ames: Columbia” at NASA-Ames: 20 SGI® Altix™ 3700 superclusters, 20 SGI® Altix™ 3700 superclusters, each with 512 Itaniunm processors = 10240 processorseach with 512 Itaniunm processors = 10240 processors
• In-house Linux ClustersIn-house Linux Clusters
Coil Power Supply
Magnetic Nozzle Coils
RF Generator
Automatic RF Matching Networks
Mass Flow Controller
ArgonRF Plasma Torch
Building the UHCL Plasma Lab
High-Voltage Power Supply and Capacitor Bank
Formation and Confinement Coils
Mass Flow Controller
Argon
Plasma Toroid Experiment
Vacuum Chamber
High-Vacuum PumpCoil Power Supply
Building the UHCL Plasma Lab
The Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) is a well studied plasma confinement scheme that is very appealing also for propulsion applications
Fusion and Plasma PropulsionFusion and Plasma Propulsion
A conceptual scheme for a FRC Rocket
Plasma and power production scheme for a Plasma and power production scheme for a FRCFRC fusion (still to be fusion (still to be demonstrated…) demonstrated…) directdirect propulsion rocket propulsion rocket
Magnets
FRC
Electric Power
Magnetic Nozzle
Exhaust
Fusion and Plasma PropulsionFusion and Plasma Propulsion