Modes of plasma-dynamical system with closed electron drift and open walls

The research results of a plasma accelerator which includes a cross electromagnetic field and open walls were considered. For this system, theoretical calculations for the dynamics of ions and electrons were conducted. It was established that a one-dimensional hydrodynamic model, according to the principles of equipotentialization of field lines, well describes experimental data. It was shown that the accelerator has two operation modes with various electro-physical characteristics: i) a low-current one (up to 200 mA) with a luminous layer near the anode; ii) a high-current one (up to 2 A) with a bright luminous flux from the ends along the axis of the system. In the observed jet, a plasma flow is detected with the current density of the axis of the system being more than 7 times greater than the value of the current density at the periphery.