Experimental Investigation of Electromagnetic Ion-Temperature-Anisotropy Driven Instabilities

West Virginia University Research Corporation, Morgantown WV

Investigators

Abstract

This project will utilize the large Experiment on Instabilities and Anisotropies (LEIA) device at West Virginia University to study the physics of ion temperature anisotropy driven instabilities in high beta plasmas. The primary objectives of the study will be (1) to examine the fluctuation spectra , polarizations and thresholds of the relevant instabilities, (2) provide detailed analysis of the correlation of the initial temperature anisotropy with the resulting wave characteristics, and (3) examine the role of minor heavy ion species on the waves.