Fast camera images of flux ropes during plasma relaxation

Images of visible light emission from flux ropes during plasma relaxation are presented. Multiple images are used to gain insight into the dynamics of driven/dissipative plasma relaxation processes in finite-/spl beta/ plasmas. A fast-gated (40-200 ns) intensified charge coupled device (ICCD) camera generates time-resolved images of 1-3 flux ropes in the reconnection scaling experiment (RSX) device. During relaxation, flux ropes are observed to evolve toward states characterized by the presence of single and multiple helical mode structures.