Plasma dynamics experiments at virginia tech

A plasma dynamics laboratory under development at Virginia Tech's Center for Space Science and Engineering Research (Space@VT) will be a platform for fundamental and applied plasma physics experiments. The facility includes a cylindrical vacuum chamber equipped with a rough pump, cryopump, and 15 ports. A small plasma-armature railgun (under construction) will launch plasma jets at velocities of approximately 20 km/s. A four-chord Mach-Zehnder interferometer and plasma laser-induced fluorescence diagnostic are under development in addition to other plasma diagnostics including spectrometers and photodiodes. The purpose of the plasma dynamics laboratory is three-fold: (i) to develop a plasma thruster development and test facility, (ii) to develop an experimental facility for fundamental science studies relevant to plasma physics, (iii) to develop advanced plasma diagnostics. Results of first plasma in the new experimental facility will be presented.