Production of Helicon Wave Plasmas in Heliotron Magnetic Field

RF (f = 8 MHz, P(rf) less than or equal to 8 kW) argon plasmas have been produced in Heliotron DR (R = 0.9 m, a(p) similar to 0.05 in, B less than or equal to 0.17 T). Obtained plasma parameters are n(c) = (1-5) x 10(17) m(-3) and T(c) = (8-14) eV. The dependencies of the plasma parameters on argon gas pressure, RF power, total and helical magnetic field intensities have been investigated.