A Study on Low-Frequency Fluctuations Using New Azimuthal Probe Array in High-Density Helicon Linear Plasma

Abstract

In a high-density plasma produced by helicon waves in a linear device, a change from the coherent to broad-band density fluctuations was observed on increasing the magnetic field. The coherent mode exhibited the drift wave features, and a steady oscillation state was observed. When the magnetic field was increased, the fluctuation level increased, and the higher azimuthal Fourier components were excited. When the spectrum became broad at the higher magnetic field, the behavior of the azimuthal structure became complex and changed rapidly with time. The analysis performed using the movable probe array (48ch.-probe) decomposed the short-lived structure into poloidal mode-frequency space and indicated mode-mode coupling in the broad-band spectrum.