Two-dimensional plasma flows in a current layer according to results of spectral measurements

The average ion energies and velocities of two dimensional plasma currents are investigated at different current layer evolution stages by analyzing the profiles of spectral lines broadened due to the Doppler effect. The space-time characteristics of plasma glow in different atom and ion lines are investigated. Two dimensional plasma currents are found to occur in the vicinity of the current layer, as well as within the layer, in argon. The spatial distribution of the glow in different helium spectral lines, and its time dependence, indicate that the current layer is a region of elevated electron temperature. The effective ion temperature in the layer is found, and its dynamics over time is investigated in different modes. The ion temperature comprises 20 to 200 eV, depending upon the type of gas and other experimental conditions.