Abstract
In the description of a broad class of plasmas, magnetic fields, both external and self-induced, play an important role. For example, in laser produced plasmas magnetic fields up to some hundred kG have been measured. Also in vacuum arcs the self-induced magnetic fields may play a decisive role in the explanation of such phenomena as current constriction and the retrograde motion of cathode spots. Measurements in vacuum switches show that besides the azimuthal magnetic field also axial and radial components of the self-induced magnetic field occur and have to be taken into account. The aim of the work is to describe the mechanism of self-induced magnetic field generation. This description is quite general, but is limited to isothermal axisymmetric plasmas. Using the result of this analysis, an alternative explanation for the retrograde motion is given. Finally the results of measurements of the self-induced axial magnetic field in a hollow cathode argon plasma are presented
| Original language | English |
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| Title of host publication | Gas Discharges and their Applications : proceedings of the 8th international conference |
| Place of Publication | Leeds |
| Publisher | Leeds University Press |
| Pages | 340-343 |
| ISBN (Print) | 0853161356 |
| Publication status | Published - 1985 |