Sample interview questions: Have you ever conducted experiments related to plasma turbulence suppression in field-reversed configurations? If so, can you provide details?
Sample answer:
Yes, I have conducted experiments related to plasma turbulence suppression in field-reversed configurations (FRCs). Our research focused on understanding the underlying mechanisms responsible for plasma turbulence and developing strategies to mitigate its effects.
In our experiments, we used a unique experimental device called the Swarthmore Spheromak Experiment (SSX). The SSX is a compact, high-performance spheromak device capable of producing stable, quiescent plasmas with long confinement times. This made it an ideal platform for studying plasma turbulence and implementing turbulence suppression techniques.
One of the key findings from our experiments was the identification of a critical density threshold below which plasma turbulence was significantly reduced. This threshold was found to be related to the ion-ion collisionality, suggesting that collisions play a crucial role in stabilizing the plasma.
We also investigated the effects of applied magnetic fields on plasma turbulence. By varying the strength and configuration of the external magnetic field, we were able to modify the plasma stability and turbulence characteristics. We found that a strong to… Read full answer