Device for Generating a Low Temperature, Highly Ionized Cesium Plasma

Abstract
A device for generating a linear, highly ionized, low temperature cesium plasma is described. The plasma is generated by having the output of cesium atomic beam ovens impinge on hot tungsten plates placed at both ends of a cylindrical vacuum chamber. The walls of the chamber are cooled so that neutral cesium condenses on them. The theory of the device, designated as the Q machine, is presented and some experimental results given. The maximum density achieved was 2×1012/cm3, with an estimated fractional ionization of 99%, and a confining field of 5900 gauss.

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