Efficient trap of a coaxial gun plasma in an axisymmetric mirror with an internal hoop

A method to trap a high temperature and high density plasma from a coaxial gun in a mirror machine is described. The method is to inject plasma parallel to the axis from a coaxial gun located off the axis. The validity of the method is experimentally demonstrated with an MHD-stabilized axisymmetric mirror with an internal hoop. Density, electron and ion temperatures and their time behaviors were measured and it was made clear that a high density high temperature plasma was well trapped in the mirror by the parallel off-axis injection while the plasma was little trapped by on-axis injection. The plasma parameters obtained were also compared with those of a conventional titanium washer gun plasma. The causes to restrict the maximum ion temperature and of its quick decay are discussed. (author)