The Measurement of Plasma Structure in a Magnetic Thrust Chamber

Abstract

Magnetic thrust chamber is a propulsion system controlling plasma by a magnetic field and is expected as a propulsion system of laser fusion rocket. This rocket obtains thrust due to the interaction between plasma and magnetic field in the system. We examine the plasma structure in a magnetic thrust chamber by observing the light emission from the plasma with several magnetic field strength. The experiments imply that anisotropic plasma expansion is induced by the applied magnetic field and the velocity is decreased at the magnetic field above 0.67 T.