CNT compared to previous experiments (2)
CNT will be the first study of a single component plasma in a closed flux surface geometry
- No theoretical work (yet) in the stellarator configuration
- Theory for transport due to magnetic pumping does not apply
- Single particles are confined even in the absence of space charge (similar to Penning trap)
Confinement is purely magnetic (unlike Penning trap)
- Energetic electrons (or positrons) are confined even at modest magnetic field strengths
- Can confine both positive and negative particles in the same volume
- Good: Ability to confine and study non-neutral plasmas with simultaneous positive and negative species
- Bad: May lead to ion contamination (ultrahigh vacuum needed)