Local plasma parameters and integral characteristics of a magnetogasdynamic channel under conditions of ionization instability

Results are presented from an experimental investigation of the onset of io nization instability in a disk-shaped Faraday magnetogasdynamic channel att ached to a shock tube. The experiments were carried out in a pure inert gas (xenon) without alkaline additives. A relation is found between the integr al plasma characteristics of a nonequilibrium magnetogasdynamic channel and the local parameters of a plasma that is unstable against the ionization i nstability. Mechanisms for amplifying perturbations and increasing the effe ctive conductivity are revealed. It is concluded that these effects stem ma inly from the features of three-body recombination in rare gases. (C) 2000 MAIK "Nauka/ Interperiodica".