Dynamics of a dense cloud at a two-stage plasma heating in the GOL-3 device

The experiments on two-stage heating of the plasma cloud with 1016 -1017 cm-3 density and ∼ 0.5 m length due to energy transfer from a low density background plasma in long solenoidal trap GOL-3 are discussed. The temperature of the cloud reaches 70-100 eV in its central region and ∼ 300 eV in periphery. Longitudinal nonuniformity of plasma pressure causes the cloud expansion and formation of waves, which propagate along the entire device length. The pressure in the wave is several fold greater than preceding one of the background plasma. The calculations of the two-stage heating and dynamics of the dense plasma cloud are discussed. (author) 5 refs., 4 figs