Helicon plasmas are high density, low temperature plasmas with applications in particle accelerators, space thrusters, and current drive in tokamaks. While efficient ion production is often the chief interest in helicon plasmas, no theory explaining the mechanism behind the high ionization efficiency has been demonstrated through consistent measurement. Particle balance, power balance, and radio frequency (RF) wave coupling all play a role in determining the ionization rate and source distribution. In this work, significant upgrades and diagnostic improvements on the MARIA helicon device in the 3D Plasma Surface Interaction laboratory are presented. Laser induced fluorescence (LIF) measurements are calibrated against an RF compensated Langmuir probe to produce particle flux measurements at several magnetic field strengths and axial positions. Under the assumption that parallel transport is dominant, one dimensional mass and momentum conservation arguments are used to measure the distribution and magnetic field strength scaling of an ionization source in the range of 8x1020 m-3s-1. Axial and radial LIF measurements of neutral argon reveal a region of high recycling near an on axis boundary plate, and a 90% depletion of neutral particles near the helicon antenna. Measurements of radial ion losses and neutral source terms are also measured and presented. By identifying both particle sources and sinks, an understanding of the circular refueling process by recycling neutrals begins to form. Additionally a new collisional radiative model developed in collaboration with Auburn University is presented. Comparisons between solutions to the collisional radiative model and experimental results provided valuable insight into the behavior of atomic population processes occurring in MARIA plasmas. Additionally, the collisional radiative model is used in concert with line ratio spectroscopy to establish a new passive diagnostic for neutral dominated argon plasmas. Agreement with Langmuir probe electron temperature measurements is currently achievable, but additional work is needed to improve the extraction of electron density.

This book highlights a high-density helicon plasma source produced by radio frequency excitation in the presence of magnetic fields, which has attracted considerable attention thanks to its wide applicability in various fields, from basic science to industrial use. Presenting specific applications such as plasma thrusters, nuclear fusion, and plasma processing, it offers a review of modern helicon plasma science for a broad readership. The book covers a wide range of topics, including the fundamental physics of helicon plasma and their cutting-edge applications, based on his abundant and broad experience from low to high temperature plasmas, using various linear magnetized machines and nuclear fusion ones such as tokamaks and reversed field pinches. It first provides a brief overview of the field and a crash course on the fundamentals of plasma, including miscellaneous diagnostics, for advanced undergraduate and early graduate students in plasma science, and presents the basics of helicon plasma for beginners in the field. Further, digesting advanced application topics is also useful for experts to have a quick overview of extensive helicon plasma science research.

This complete introduction to plasma physics and controlled fusion by one of the pioneering scientists in this expanding field offers both a simple and intuitive discussion of the basic concepts of this subject and an insight into the challenging problems of current research. In a wholly lucid manner the work covers single-particle motions, fluid equations for plasmas, wave motions, diffusion and resistivity, Landau damping, plasma instabilities and nonlinear problems. For students, this outstanding text offers a painless introduction to this important field; for teachers, a large collection of problems; and for researchers, a concise review of the fundamentals as well as original treatments of a number of topics never before explained so clearly. This revised edition contains new material on kinetic effects, including Bernstein waves and the plasma dispersion function, and on nonlinear wave equations and solitons. For the third edition, updates was made throughout each existing chapter, and two new chapters were added; Ch 9 on “Special Plasmas” and Ch 10 on Plasma Applications (including Atmospheric Plasmas).

This book contains the proceedings of the Workshop on Non-Neutral Plasmas 2006. The Workshop focused on fundamental questions regarding confinement and dynamics of one-component plasmas as well as the relevance of these subjects to other related topics in physics, such as antimatter research, accelerator physics, atomic physics, and dusty plasmas.