Mixing of multiple hydrogen plasma beams in a strong magnetic field by E × B drift-induced rotation

Mixing of up to three ∼1cm diameter plasma beams of pure hydrogen as well as mixtures of hydrogen and argon in magnetic fields of <1.6T are studied. An external ring electrode is used to create a radial electric field that induces E ×B rotationoftheindividualbeamsaroundacommonaxis. Rotationprofiles with maximum speeds up to 10kms −1 are measured from the hydrogen atomic line shapes and confirm rotation around the ring axis. Mixing to a total beam diameter of ∼2.5‐3cm is observed in density profiles measured with Thomson scattering near a target at 0.5m downstream. Currents of up to 60A were received by the ring, involving an addition power input of up to 5.4kW to the plasma. (Some figures in this article are in colour only in the electronic version)