Diagnostics of electromagnetic waves in a spontaneously impulsive plasma jet at ERAU*

Plasma diagnostics play a crucial role in understanding the behavior and properties of plasmas. We present the setup and utilization of a magnetic probe array (MPA) and loop antenna to study low-frequency electromagnetic waves in a MHD driven plasma jet experiment. The ERAU plasma jet experiment is spontaneously impulsive, demonstrating plasma instabilities and magnetic reconnection, therefore being reasonably relevant to solar corona. In such conditions, the propagation of electromagnetic waves is an important area of study due to its fundamental role in energy and momentum transport within magnetized plasmas. We look at an experimental setup designed to measure electromagnetic waves within a plasma jet, using diagnostic techniques to capture real-time wave propagation and interactions. The setup utilizes a magnetic probe array comprised of 45 inductors across the x, y, and z axis with a high-precision data acquisition system that records voltage levels from each of the inductors, allowing for detailed spatial and temporal analysis of the wave phenomena. The experimental parameters are selected to cover a range of magnetic field strengths, facilitating a study of magnetic wave behavior in relation to plasma density and temperature profiles. By correlating these measurements with theoretical models, the experiment aims to provide deeper insights into the mechanisms of wave-particles interactions, such as anomalous resistive heating in the context of energy transfer in a magnetic reconnection.