Plasma dynamics in laboratory-produced current sheets

Evolution of currents and Ampere forces in current sheets are analyzed on the basis of magnetic measurements. Two new effects are observed in the current distributions at the later stage of the sheet evolution: first, a broadening of the current area at the side edges of the current sheet; second, a generation of reverse currents followed by their propagation from the edges to the center of the sheet. Super-thermal plasma flows moving across the width of the current sheet are observed by spectroscopic methods. The energies of plasma jets are consistent with the spatial structure and time dependences of the Ampere forces in the current sheets. The assumption is advanced that plasma acceleration may be more effective at the regions with lower plasma density, which are located at some distances from the sheet mid-plane. Generation of reverse currents provides an additional confirmation of transfer of energetic plasma jets toward the sheet edges. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3647576]