Research experiments on striction

Research work presented herewith concerns the behaviour of high intensity discharges in low pressure gases and examines the means of using the associated electromagnetic forces to heat the ionized gas and to avoid at the same time the cooling of the gas through contact with the walls of the chamber. We tried to stabilize the discharges by means of the combined action of a longitudinal magnetic field and of eddy currents induced in a conducting sheath. Devices for straight line and toroidal discharges have been tested. Research has been conducted with the aid of measurements of electric magnitudes, of penetrating radiations (x-rays, neutrons), and optical properties. The deformations of the luminous column have been followed by ultra rapid cinematography, whereas the evolution of the optical spectrum with time provided a monitor of the physical state of the plasma at any time. (author)