Experimental study of magnetized plasma rotation in crossed fields

Abstract

Rotation of magnetized plasma between two coaxial electrodes in crossed electric and magnetic fields was studied experimentally. Three regimes of plasma rotation were observed. In the first regime, the radial electric field is created by a beam−plasma discharge due to the charging of the inner axial electrode by electrons, the outer electrode being grounded. Plasma rotation in this case is accompanied by strong high-frequency current oscillations detected by a Mach probe. When a negative voltage was applied to the coaxial electrodes, the second regime was observed, in which weakly perturbed quasi-stationary plasma rotation occurred at a relatively low radial current. The third regime of plasma rotation was observed upon a spontaneous disruption of the second regime. It is characterized by high currents of ~1 kA, sheared plasma rotation, and excitation of high-frequency perturbations.