Energization of electrons in a plasma beam entering a curved magnetic field

Earlier experiments have indicated that suprathermal electrons appear when a collisionless plasma flowing along a magnetic field enters a region where the magnetic field is curved. In the present investigation newly developed methods of He-spectroscopy based on the absolute intensities of the He I 3889 A and He II 4686 A lines are utilized to study the electron temperature and to estimate the population of non-thermal electrons. The density of helium added for the diagnostic purpose is so low that the flow is not disturbed. It is found that the intrusion of the plasma into a curved or transverse field gives rise to a slight increase (15-20%) in the electron temperature and a remarkable increase in the fraction of non-thermal (>100 eV) electrons from below 1% to as much as 20-25% of the total electron population. There are also indications that the energization of electrons is particularly efficient on that side of the plasma beam which becomes polarized to a positive potential when entering the curved field. The experiments are confined to the case of weak magnetic field, i.e. only the electrons are magnetically confined. New details of the electric field and potential structure are presented and discussed. Electric field components parallel to the magnetic field are likely to energize the electrons, probably through the run-away phenomenon. (Auth.)