Magnetic-field fluctuations in the startup plasma of the AMBAL-M device

Fluctuations of the azimuthal and radial magnetic field in the startup plas ma of the end system of the AMBAL-M tandem mirror system are measured by ma gnetic probes. An analysis of the spectra and radial profiles of the magnet ic-field and density fluctuations shows that there is a correlation between these quantities, which can be explained in terms of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability in a plasma stream flowing out of the gas-discharge source. The characteristic parameters of the stream inhomogeneities are estimated. The radial profile of the particle flux is determined from simultaneous measur ements of the plasma density and radial magnetic field. The diffusion coeff icient related to magnetic-field fluctuations is estimated.