In a new divertor simulator, an ultra-cold (Te<1 eV) high density recombining
magnetized laboratory plasma is studied using probes, spectroscopic
measurements, and ultra-fast imaging of spontaneous emission. The Mistral-B
device consists in a linear high density magnetized plasma column. The ionizing
electrons originate from a large cathode array located in the fringing field of
the solenoid. The ionizing electrons are focused in a 3 cm diameter hole at the
entrance of the solenoid. The typical plasma density on the axis is close to
2.10^18 m-3. The collector is segmented into two plates and a transverse
electric field is applied through a potential difference between the plates.
The Lorentz force induces the ejection of a very-low temperature plasma jet in
the limiter shadow. The characteristic convection time and decay lengths have
been obtained with an ultra-fast camera. The study of the atomic physics of the
recombining plasma allows to understand the measured decay time and to explain
the emission spectra.Comment: 12th International Congress on Plasma Physics, 25-29 October 2004,
Nice (France