This paper reviews some theoretical and computational aspects of plasma-wall interactions, in particidar the formation of sheaths. Some fundamental residts are derived analytically using a simple fluid model, and are subsequently tested with kinetic simulations. The various regions composing the plasma-wall transition (Debye sheath, colUsional and magnetic presheaths) are discussed in details.

Trapped particle modes and the associated asymmetry-induced transport are characterized experimentally in cylindrical electron plasmas. Axial variations in the electric or magnetic confinement fields cause the particle trapping, and enable the E3B drift trapped-particle modes. Collisional diffusion across the trapping separatrix causes the modes to damp, and causes bulk radial transport when th...

In the burning fusion plasmas of next step devices such as ITER (2001 ITERFEAT Outline Design Report IAEA/ITER EDA/DS/18 (Vienna: IAEA) p 21), the majority of the heating of the fusing fuel will come from the plasma self-heating by fusion born α-particles. Recent advances in theoretical understanding, together with the development of new diagnostic techniques, make this a timely opportunity to ...

For future burning plasma experiments, all diagnostics must be re-evaluated in terms of their measurement capabilities and robustness to the new environment. This is certainly true for interferometry measurements where conventional approaches may not be ideal and interpretation may require modification due to high plasma temperatures. Optimizing these systems to provide maximum information will...

Axial variations in magnetic or electrostatic confinement fields create local trapping separatrices, and traditional neo-classical theory analyzes the effects from collision-induced separatrix crossings. Recent experiments and theory have characterized the distinctive neo-classical effects from chaotic separatrix crossings, induced by equilibrium plasma rotation across θ-ruffled separatrices, o...

We describe a rotating-drum dust-dispersal device, which we have used, in conjunction with an existing Q machine, to produce extended, steady state, magnetized plasma columns. The dusty plasma device (DPD) is to be used for the investigation of waves in dusty plasmas and of other plasma/dust aspects. The device is capable of generating dusty plasmas in which as much as -90% of the negative char...

Scientists from research institutions in the United States of America and Japan attended a USA Department of Energy sponsored joint international workshop on the subject of Compact Toroids (CT) in Santa Fe, NM, USA in September 2004. We outline here a summary of the topics that were discussed, some of the implications, and new directions that are likely to follow from this research. Experimenta...

B.A. Carreras Fusion Energy Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, P.O. Box 2001, Oak Ridge TN 37831-2001, USA (Dated: January 29, 2004) Abstract Transport in fusion plasmas in the low confinement mode is characterized by several remarkable properties: the superdiffusive scaling of transport with system size, stiff (or ”canonical”) profiles, power degradation and rapid transport phenomena. Th...

Fabrication of an interferometer is planned at the UCSD Laser Plasma and Laser-Matter Interactions Laboratory. The primary goal of this project is to measure the density at early times in the evolution of highly transient laser created plasmas. We describe the design concepts and details of different kinds of interferometer for measuring density evolution, especially during early time of plasma...