Events on Monday, September 9th, 2024
- Climate & Diversity
- Climate and Diversity Committee Open Hours
- Time: 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
- Place: 5310
- Abstract: Open Hours are welcome for everyone in the department! During these sessions, we have the option to discuss the topic listed, that is not required or necessary for attending. Article Discussion: Advancing Women of Color in STEM: An Imperative for U.S. Global Competitiveness
- Host: Rachel Zizmann
- Climate & Diversity
- Climate and Diversity Committee Open Hours
- Time: 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
- Place: 5310
- Speaker: Rachel Zizmann, UW-Madison Physics
- Abstract: Open Hours are welcome for everyone in the department! During these sessions, we have the option to discuss the topic listed, that is not required or necessary for attending. Article Discussion: Advancing Women of Color in STEM: An Imperative for U.S. Global Competitiveness
- Host: Rachel Zizmann
- Plasma Physics (Physics/ECE/NE 922) Seminar
- First plasma experiments in WHAM
- Time: 12:05 pm - 1:00 pm
- Place: 1610 Engineering Hall
- Speaker: Dmitry Yakovlev, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Abstract: In this talk, I will provide a brief introduction to the Wisconsin Axisymmetric HTS Mirror (WHAM), a groundbreaking magnetic confinement experiment recently constructed and launched at UW-Madison. This experiment features record-breaking 17 Tesla superconducting mirror magnets and a variety of plasma heating systems, achieving a total heating power density of up to 50 MW/m³. This unique combination of parameters enables a wide range of mirror confinement studies that were not possible previously.
I will discuss the unique engineering solutions implemented in the machine’s design, along with insights gained from its assembly and initial operation. Drawing from my experience with large mirror experiments, I will highlight critical research topics that could advance us toward practical fusion applications.
During the first experimental campaigns, WHAM achieved a successful ECR breakdown, consistently producing plasma at power levels as low as 10 kW of 110 GHz microwave radiation, and with densities exceeding 1019 m-3. Several observed effects, such as density saturation and dependency on prefill pressure, align well with published data, while others – much higher diamagnetic flux (0.4 mWb), hot electrons with confinement time of ~ 1 s and indications of intense MHD activity during ECH are reported for the first time. Initial experiments with 22 keV deuterium neutral beam injection demonstrated beam attenuation of > 50%, although the fast ion confinement time is currently limited by high charge-exchange losses.
I will cover these findings and outline near-term experimental plans aimed at advancing the experiment’s scientific goals. - Host: Cary Forest
