Browsing Auburn Theses and Dissertations by Author "Thomas, Edward"

Now showing items 1-9 of 9

3D Reconstruction of Plasma Equilibrium using Magnetic Diagnostics on the Compact Toroidal Hybrid

Stevenson, Benjamin Adam (2011-12-05)

Equilibrium reconstruction of magnetically confined plasma for fusion energy research uses magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) theory in combination with experimental diagnostic data to accurately model high temperature plasma ...

Evolution of the Earth's Ring Current during Geomagnetic Storms

Grimes, Eric (2012-08-29)

We examine the evolution of the ring current during the main and early recovery phases of five geomagnetic storms, three driven by co-rotating interaction regions (CIRs) in the solar wind and two driven by interplanetary ...

Interactions between Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron Waves and Protons in the Magnetosphere: SCATHA Results

Nguyen, Son (2007-05-15)

Electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves and their role in governing proton populations in the ring current and radiation belt regions are of importance in understanding the dynamics of the Earth’s magnetosphere. The ...

Investigation of Plasma Detachment from a Magnetic Nozzle

Chancery, William (2007-08-15)

The Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR) electric space propulsion concept currently under development by the Ad Astra Rocket Company utilizes a magnetic field to confine a propellant plasma. The energetic ...

Investigation of the Redistribution of Kinetic Energy in a Microgravity Complex (Dusty) Plasma

McCabe, Lori (2022-07-28)

In the presence of gravity, the micron-sized charged dust particles in a complex plasma are compressed to thin layers, but under the microgravity conditions of the Plasma Kristall-4 (PK-4) experiment on the International ...

Measurement of the thermal properties of a weakly-coupled complex (dusty) plasma

Williams, Jeremiah (2006-12-15)

Knowledge of the velocity space distribution function facilitates the characterization of the thermal and dynamical properties of a system. In this work, a comprehensive series of experiments and numerical simulations are ...

Microparticle Dynamics in Strongly Magnetized Low Temperature Plasmas

Lynch, Brian Jr (2017-07-25)

Dusty plasma systems consist of charged microparticles (usually called dust grains) embedded in a background plasma. The dust component can significantly modify the background plasma by collecting electrons and ions, thus ...

Theoretical modeling combined with experimental spectroscopic measurements for the diagnosis of high-Z erosion and transport applications in plasmas

Johnson, Curtis (2020-12-11)

Understanding plasma-material interaction (PMI) continues to be a challenge for future fusion reactors. High-Z materials (e.g. tungsten, molybdenum) have emerged as leading solutions for plasma facing materials. Erosion ...

Vacuum Magnetic Flux Surface Measurements Made on the Compact Toroidal Hybrid

Peterson, Joshua (2008-08-15)

Understanding the behavior of plasmas in magnetic confinement fusion devices typically requires accurate knowledge of the magnetic field structure. In stellarator-type confinement devices, the helical magnetic field is ...