Progress of the APEX experiment for creation of an electron-positron pair plasma

Electron-positron pair plasmas are an unexplored state of matter predicted to have properties intriguing for plasma physics as well as astrophysics. Here we described recent progress in the APEX collaboration dedicated to the production of a cold, confined electron-positron plasma in the laboratory. We focus on methods to inject positrons produced externally into a magnetic dipole trap, and to manipulate the ensuing trapped positron cloud. These experiments are carried out at the NEPOMUC positron beamline of the FRM II research reactor. Recent progress in producing more intense positron beams is briefly discussed.