Steady state rotational dynamics of a weakly ionised hydrogen plasma under cross-field configuration

Journal article

We study a novel device for generating a high speed rotating plasma. The device weakly ionises and accelerates a hydrogen gas in a co-axial cylindrical chamber via the perpendicular configuration of electrodes with a magnetic field generated by a superconducting magnetic. It has been hypothesised that extreme velocities and plasma particle compression could be achieved under this configuration1 . This work develops a rigorous theoretical model of the bulk plasma dynamics under steady state centrifugal operation. By exploiting the axisymmetry of the system, and from application of problem-specific governing assumptions, a steady state 1D model for the rotational dynamics of the bulk plasma is derived. From here, we present fully analytical solutions for the radial profiles of the MHD model: [azimuthal velocity, particle densities, pressure] and a semi-analytical solution for electric potential. Tables of selfconsistent plasma parameters are computed to provide a comprehensive characterisation of the bulk plasma state. The model is able to determine the peak velocities and plasma compression, and permits parametric studies to elucidate the complex and non-linear relationships between operational device settings and the achieved steady state plasma state condition. The new theoretical solutions therefore provide necessary insights into the viability of the novel device for high energy-density plasma applications.

Authors: Muir, H; Eschbach, N; Rodway-Gant, G; Vankov, I; Chen, A

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: American Institute of Physics
• Journal: Physics of Plasmas
• Volume: 32
• Issue: 12
• Article number: 123505
• Publication date: 2025-12-10
• Acceptance date: 2025-11-13
• DOI: 10.1063/5.0285228
• EISSN: 1089-7674
• ISSN: 1070-664X
• Language: English