Experimental and theoretical studies on weakly-ionized, steady rotating plasma

Experimental studies are made on a steady, weakly-ionized, relatively quiet rotating plasma, in which the longitudinal dimension of the device is much greater than its radius and a separately produced argon discharge plasma column itself acts as the inner conductor of the device. A theoretical model is proposed in which the balance between the particle creation due to impact ionization by electrons with the neutral gas atoms and the plasma particle loss across the magnetic field in the form of an electric current is assumed to determine the characteristics of the rotating plasma, and it is found that this model can explain the experimental results obtained, at least qualitatively and even quantitatively in some respects, by taking into account the significant effects of the ''spoke-like'' structure and of the radial flow of neutral atoms. (auth.)