Plasma Limiter Studies at the Maryland Centrifugal Experiment*

An annular limiter experiment is being designed and constructed at the Maryland Centrifugal Experiment (MCX). This experiment has been motivated by the improved performance of the Gas Dynamic Trap using a biased limiter to induce vortex flows [A. A. Ivanov, et al. paper IAEA-CN-94/EX/P5-12 at Conference ``Fusion Energy-2002'']. The limiter may be biased with respect to the MCX vacuum vessel to attempt control over the radial electric field at the plasma edge. Measurements of the radial electric field in the edge region are planned using a Langmuir probe. Early results on the limiter's effects on MCX's performance will be reported.