Rv. Vasil'Eva et al., Ionizational instability in an ionized inert gas flowing in a magnetic field - art. no. 036402, PHYS REV E, 6303(3), 2001, pp. 6402
We discuss the evolution of ionization instability, which gives rise to the
formation of regular structures in plasma. The experiment was conducted in
a disk magnetohydrodynamic channel in Xe. The evolution of luminous inhomo
geneities, and changes in the luminosities of individual inhomogeneities, a
re traced. Electron concentrations and temperatures in fluctuations are mea
sured. Average values of the electron concentration and temperature, plasma
conductivity, and the Hall parameter are estimated. The average conductivi
ty and Hall parameter are compared with the effective values. The influence
of positive and negative fluctuations in plasma parameters on the enhancem
ent of ionization oscillations and average current is analyzed. Based on ex
perimental data, a mechanism is suggested that is responsible for the incre
ase in the effective conductivity of ionizationally unstable inert gas plas
ma with increasing magnetic induction.