Two-dimensional (2-D) density and potential measurements have been carried out for plasma diffusing through an aperture in a diverging magnetic field. The radial density profile near the source is peaked on the axis but gradually evolves into a hollow profile away from the source. We observe a slow increase of the peak density along a hollow conical surface and correlate with the 2-D potential measurement reported earlier. It is also shown that the formation of 2-D structures with similar features are observed whenever plasma is allowed to diffuse through a physical aperture in such diverging magnetic field configuration, with or without the presence of electric double layer, i.e., the phenomenon is generic in nature.

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Plasma created by an inductive RF discharge is allowed to expand along a diverging magnetic field. Measurement of the axial plasma potential profile reveals the formation of an electric double layer near the throat of the expansion chamber. An accelerated ion beam has been detected in the downstream region, confirming the presence of the double layer. The 2-D nature of the ion energy distribution function of the downstream plasma has been studied by a movable ion energy analyser, which shows that the beam radius increases along the axial distance. The 2-D structure of the plasma potential has been studied by a movable emissive probe. The existence of a secondary lobe in the contour plot of plasma equipotential is a new observation. It is also an interesting observation that the most diverging magnetic field line not intercepting the junction of the discharge tube and the expansion chamber has an electric field aligned with it.

We report on the application of the vacuum photodiode to detect vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) radiation emitted from the Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics (SINP) Tokamak. It is simple to fabricate and provides broadband spectral response in the VUV and ultrasoft x ray (10 eV–1 keV). In our design, a stainless steel photocathode is used, which has a response identical to tungsten in the wavelength range 100–1200 Å. Its surface is passivated, to minimize contamination and monolayer deposition, by electropolishing it. Some representative experimental results illustrating the range of applicability are presented with special emphasis on its performance in disruptive shots.

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