  Electron Cyclotron Resonance Ion Sources are currently the most efficient ion
sources among those used in facilities dedicated to nuclear physics. The need
for a more flexible magnetic field and RF injection system suggested to design
and develop a different type of plasma trap, named Flexible Plasma Trap (FPT).
The magnetic field of FPT is generated by means of three coils while microwaves
in the range 4-7 GHz can be injected by three different inputs, one placed
along the axis and two placed radially. FPT can work in different plasma
heating schemes so it will be an ideal tool for studies of plasma and
multidisciplinary physics. Moreover, a microwave launcher has been designed and
installed to the FPT for launching microwaves with a variable tilt angle with
respect to the magnetic field. This paper describes the characteristics of the
FPT along with the preliminary results of plasma diagnostics.
