Experiments on anomalous electron currents to a positive probe in a magnetized plasma stream

The first laboratory experiments are reported of anomalously high currents drawn by an electron collecting probe in a magnetized plasma stream. The cu rrents exceed the theoretical values by Parker and Murphy [Parker and Murph y, 1967] by more than a factor of three. Measurements of the potential patt ern around the probe indicate that the enhanced currents are possible becau se electrons E x B-drift into a local field-aligned current channel.