Equilibrium, stability, and transport of electron plasmas in the Columbia Non-neutral Torus
The equilibrium, stability and transport properties of electron plasmas confined on magnetic surfaces in the Columbia Non-neutral Torus are discussed. The equilibrium is characterized by a Poisson-Boltzmann equation. Measured potential and temperature profiles are presented. These plasmas are generally stable but can be destabilized by an ion driven instability that involves the interaction of the ion and electron fluids and has a poloidal mode number of m = 1. The transport of electrons driven by collisions with neutrals is much greater than the neoclassical prediction. A code has been written to follow single particle motion to determine why. Finally, sudden jumps between different equilibria with different transport levels are being investigated.