Transverse current at the periphery of the startup plasma in the AMBAL-M device

In previous experiments, a substantial longitudinal electron current was ob served in the startup plasma in the end system of the AMBAL-M device. In th is paper, the current at the plasma periphery is studied, the processes lea ding to the generation of the transverse current are discussed, and the val ue of the transverse current in the transportation region is determined. An alysis shows that the basic conditions providing a substantial transverse i on current are the filling up of the device with a narrow annular plasma je t and the formation of a nonequilibrium profile of the radial electric fiel d in the plasma by the electrode potential of the end gun. Mechanism for th e generation of the longitudinal electric current is discussed.