Plasma Focus Device for Use in Space Propulsion

The Plasma Focus at the University of Illinois will be used to study the potential use of a Dense Plasma Focus (DPF) for space propulsion. This will require the development of a DPF with a gas injection system. The ultimate goal is to measure the thrust from a gas-injected DPF fueled with D-3He. Preliminary studies on the effects of an imposed magnetic field on the pinch stability, the design of the gas injection system, and on selection of thrust measurement diagnostics are reported here.