Cesium plasmas in a magnetic field with variable curvature: Experiments

As the radius of curvature of the magnetic lines decreases from its normal value R = ∞, one observes in the thermally ionized cesium plasma the excitation of several “modes” of low-frequency (5 to 30 kc/sec) “drift” waves and additional plasma losses. “Toroidal equilibrium” has been analyzed both theoretically and experimentally. The connection between the low-frequency drift waves and the additional losses is discussed.