A steadily rotating plasma disk

A homogeneously rotating plasma disk can be formed in a radially directed Ar-arc discharge at reduced pressure with an externally applied axial magnetic field. The radial pressure distribution is measured, as well as the emitted continuum radiation and the arc voltage. With these experimental values profiles of temperature, radial and azimuthal current density, and flow velocity in the disk are evaluated. Viscosity determines the flow pattern essentially. The effects of magnetic field and rotational motion on the discharge are investigated. The disk exhibits at nonrigid rotation a strong centrifugal force and a minor Coriolis force. A weak double vortex is found to develop in the meridional plane. The electric field in the discharge is altered by the azimuthal plasma flow.