Fractional mode of plasma acceleration in electrodynamic accelerators

Experiments are described with a coaxial plasma accelerator where the plasma is formed due to the erosion of the insulator spacing of the accelerator. Optimal self-regulation of working-fluid feeding was observed during which the plasma was accelerated in a fractional mode, generating a sequence of almost identical plasmoids. Three independent discharge regions formed by themselves along the accelerator: (1) an initial region where sequences of plasmoids were formed and accelerated; (2) an intermediate region where the plasmoids moved with constant drift velocity determined by crossed fields; and (3) a final region beyond the end of the accelerator which ensured that the accelerated plasma left the crossed fields without loss of momentum.