Beam-Plasma Interaction Experiments and Diagnostics

Beam-plasma interaction is thought to heat ions and electrons. A deuterium plasma is trapped between magnetic mirrors and traversed by a 5-kV, ½-A electron beam emerging from a highly ionized region in the mirror throat. The interaction amplifies the electron temperature of the plasma until the pressure exerted by the plasma competes with the pressure of the containing magnetic field ($8\pi \mathrm{nKT}{B}^{-2\mathrm{}}\approx 1$). Techniques used in measuring the density, temperature, and stability of the plasma are described.