Plasma-for lack of a better title

[ThoughtProces]

So i was sitting here thinking about plasma. I started to wonder, if we create some plasma, let's assume we have it contained in some way, magnetic field, can the plasma after it is created be sustained by high power microwave radiation, or other forms of high power EM radiation?

 

[alexgmcm]

I think you are referring to a method of plasma heating and I think I recall microwaves or EM Radiation being used in a proposal for a fusion reactor, but it might have been inertial confinement using electric fields rather than magnetic ones, I honestly can't remember..

I'm kind of a noob when it comes to physics too, as I don't even have a BSc yet, so I hope someone else will provide a more satisfactory answer.

 

[sir-pinski]

That is a fascinating question! Plasma is a state of matter that is not commonly found on Earth, but it is abundant in the universe, especially in stars. It is a highly energetic and unstable state of matter, so containing it is a difficult task. However, with advanced technology and strong magnetic fields, it is possible to create and contain plasma in a controlled environment.

As for sustaining plasma with high power microwave or other forms of electromagnetic radiation, it is theoretically possible. These types of radiation can transfer energy to the particles in the plasma, keeping them in a highly excited state and preventing them from cooling down and turning back into a gas. This concept is similar to how microwaves heat up food by exciting the water molecules in it.

In fact, this technique is already being used in fusion reactors, where plasma is heated and sustained by high-energy beams of particles and microwaves. However, it requires a lot of energy and precise control to maintain the plasma at the required temperature and stability. So while it is possible, it is still a challenging and ongoing area of research.

Overall, the idea of using high power microwave radiation to sustain plasma is an intriguing one and has potential applications in various fields, such as energy production and space propulsion. It will be interesting to see how this technology develops in the future. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this topic!