Andre Melzer | Searcharxiv

arXiv2023

D-Mag: a laboratory for studying plasma physics and diagnostics in strong magnetic fields

We have set up a diagnostic magnet (D-Mag) laboratory for a wide range of applications in plasma physics. It consists of a superconducting magnet for field strengths of up to 5.9 T. The main purpose is to provide an experimental environment for the development of plasma diagnostics for nuclear fusion studies and the investigation of dusty plasmas in strong magnetic fields. We describe in the article the setup and operation of the D-Mag. Some applications are presented for the development of plasma diagnostics, such as neutral pressure gauges and Langmuir probes that have to be operated in strong magnetic fields. Among the examples is the test of the long-pulse capability and stability of the diagnostic pressure gauge (DPG) for the ITER device.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2004

Melting of 2D Coulomb clusters in dusty plasmas

The melting of 2D dust clusters caused by one additional particle in the lower layer has experimentally been observed to undergo a two-step transition, which divides the phase of the cluster into three stages. The first transition is a jump of the dust kinetic energy due to the onset of an instability of the lower-layer particle, shifting the cluster from an ordinary to a hot crystalline state. The second transition is the actual phase transition into a liquid state, which occurs at a decisively lower gas pressure. The detailed dynamical properties of the system during the transition were determined in terms of the normal mode analysis.

physics.plasm-ph↗