Target plasma source with a gap shape of the discharge channel for the AMBAL-Yu device

Plasma source with a gap shape of discharge channel has been developed to improve parameters of target plasma in the open AMBAL-Yu magnetic gap. Dimensions of plasma jet in initial cross section - 24x126mm along the axes, peak density - up to 1015cm-3 temperature - 10-20 eV. Increase of magnetic field in the source enabled to decrease β several times in plasma jet as compared to jets of ring plasma guns. This produced a positive effect on its stability with respect to bulb disturbances in the regions of transporting field with unfavourable curvature. This enabled to improve sufficiently the target plasma parameters in the middle plane of AMBAL-Yu trap along with closer location of gap plasma gun to magnetic plug. 3 refs.; 3 figs