Energy of Plasma Flows Accelerated in a Current Sheet as a Function of the Current Flowing through the Sheet

Abstract

The energy of directed plasma flows accelerated in a current sheet is studied experimentally as a function of the current flowing through the sheet. It is found that the plasma flow energy rapidly increases with increasing current amplitude, nearly according to a power law with an exponent of 1.8–1.9. Using relations for the neutral current sheet and the concept of plasma acceleration under action of the Ampère forces, the energy of directed plasma flows is estimated as a function of the total current flowing through the sheet. It is shown that, as the current rises, the ion energy grows due to an increase in both the Ampère forces and the width of the current sheet within which plasma is accelerated.