FORMATION OF PLASMA CONFIGURATIONS AND EVOLUTION OF THE ELECTRON-TEMPERATURE IN A STRAIGHT GALATHEA-BELT SYSTEM

Results are presented from experimental studies of magnetic-held-plasm a configurations with beta similar or equal to 1 in a straight Galathe a-Belt system, i.e., magnetic confinement system with two current-carr ying conductors (myxines) embedded in a plasma. It is shown that, when an electric current is generated in the plasma,.plasma configurations consisting of a planar current sheet between the myxines and two mant les surrounding the myxines are formed. It is found that these configu rations are stable and highly homogeneous in the direction of the elec tric current. The dimensions of the current-carrying plasma region are determined by measuring the magnetic field. The dynamics of the elect ron and ion temperatures and, in some cases, of the plasma density are studied using a spectroscopic technique. An analysis is made of the e ffect of the conditions under which the plasma configurations are form ed on the characteristic features of these configurations and on the t emperature regimes in the Galathea-Belt system.