Experimental observation of the trapped particle pinch effect - art. no. 056406

The trapped particle pinch effect (Ware's drift) has been observed in a non -neutral plasma of electrons in a modified Malmbeg-Penning trap in which el ectrons are contained in the annular volume between concentric cylinders. A pulsed azimuthal electric field is applied by increasing the flux within a solenoid on the axis. Radial displacements of the electrons are observed w hich show that they remain on a surface enclosing constant axial Bur. These displacements are independent of the azimuthal field and thus are consiste nt with Ware's drift and inconsistent with the guiding center drift alone.