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The generation of interpenetrating plasma flows in an expanding discharge

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 March 2009

H. A. Davis ,
M. A. Mahdavi  and
R. H. Lovberg
H. A. Davis
Affiliation:
Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
M. A. Mahdavi
Affiliation:
Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
R. H. Lovberg
Affiliation:
Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
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Abstract

We report on an experiment designed to study collisionless shock waves in an inverse pinch discharge using argon. A magnetic disturbance was generated which propagated ahead of the driving field at twice the piston speed. Measurements of the magnetic and electric field structures, electron density and temperature, as well as ion velocities revealed that the disturbance was produced by a beam of plasma moving through the ionized ambient plasma rather than by a true shock wave. Calculations of ion trajectories using measured electric fields demonstrated that the beam originated at small radii and early times, and was not the result of a steady specular reflexion from the piston field. It is concluded that the ions comprising this stream, which were collisionless relative to the ambient ions, did not couple to the background plasma even though a strong magnetic field was applied.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Plasma Physics , Volume 15 , Issue 2 , April 1976 , pp. 293 - 307
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1976

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References

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