Radial transport reduction in tandem mirrors using end-wall boundary conditions

Results from the Tandem Mirror Experiment-Upgrade (TMX-U) demonstrate that radial transport in the plasma volume can be affected by the boundary conditions at the end wall. Measurements in which end-wall plates, mapping to the plasma core, are switched from floating to grounded during plugging operation demonstrate that this floating increases the build-up rate of the central cell plasma (by increasing the radial confinement time), steepens the core density profile, and affects the plasma throughout the entire cross section.