I Investigation of Particle Velocities in a ‘Critical Velocity’ Rotating Plasma

Abstract
The velocities of helium ions and neutrals are derived from Doppler shifted spectral lines He II 4686 Å and He I 5876 Å respectively. The ion velocity proves to be in accordance with the speed of rotating spokes which are usually observed in the build-up phase of rotating plasmas. It is demonstrated that the spoke velocity represents the plasma mass motion. Braking of plasma motion and acceleration of the neutrals to a value near Alfvén's critical velocity occurs within 10 μs.

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