MNX

The Magnetic Nozzle Experiment (MNX) is a device built at PPPL for the study of plasma recombination due to rapid cooling. It is a linear device with 22 coils that produce magnetic fields up to 0.35 T. The plasma is heated in a stainless steel chamber using a 1 kW RF generator, which operates at 27 MHz and then it is then expanded in a Pyrex tube. MNX has achieved a maximum temperature of about 7 eV and a density of 10²⁰ m³. MNX research is relevant in a wide range of plasma applications, such as propulsion and plasma processing. In fusion, it is used to improve the understanding of particle exhaust problems.