Multicusp type machine for electron cyclotron resonance plasma with reduced dimensions

Plasmas are created in a cusp type magnetic trap using electron cyclotron resonance heating. The magnetic field is generated with permanent magnets forming a 12-pole, whereby the polarity at the ends of the rods has been reversed in order to obtain end plugs and to improve the plasma confinement. In this way, the plasma volume could be reduced such that the cross section was close to or smaller than the cutoff width of a circular waveguide. This increases the microwave power absorbed and gives a high plasma density even above the cutoff value. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physics.