The details of the charged particle separation by mass in the configuration with axial magnetic and radial electric fields are studied. The radial electric field, oriented to the discharge axis, is induced in a background reflex discharge with a hot cathode (−550 V, 8–14 A). The plasma source is based on a hot cathode arc discharge with independent metal vapor injection (18–21 V, 30 A) was situated at 18 cm from the axis. It was shown that the separated Ag + Pb mixture is transported across the magnetic field under the background discharge electric field. Effective separation is possible in such a system, while the separation coefficient increases from 4.9 to 6.2–8.4 when the mixture injection point is moved away from the background discharge axis from 18 to 23 cm. The effect of mixture injection on the plasma potential distribution is examined. It was shown that the presence of a plasma source of separated substances can cause a local (1–2 cm) distortion of the background plasma potential profile. Such distortion, as well as fluctuations of the background plasma potential, can significantly affect the width of the deposited spots of separated substances.

An experimental study of the kinematic viscosity has been carried out for dust particles of size 0.95 and 3.92 μm, in weakly ionized plasma over a wide range of dust coupling parameters. Measurements of viscosity for weakly correlated dusty-plasma systems are presented for the first time. An approximation for the estimation of viscosity constants is proposed. The measured viscosity constants are compared with theoretical estimates and numerical data.

The problem of generating a stationary electric field in a magnetized radio-frequency discharge (rf) plasma is studied experimentally. Helmholtz coils produce magnetic field in a cylindrical vacuum chamber with diameter of 85.6 cm and length of 220 cm. RF discharge is generated at a frequency of ∼ 5 MHz. The rf power absorbed by plasma lies in the range 0.5-1.5 kW. Electrodes defining a negative potential are placed at the ends of the chamber. Two pairs of circular flat electrodes with diameter of 5.5 and 45 cm are investigated. The working gas is argon. Radial profiles of electron density and temperature are obtained. Radial profile of the plasma potential is investigated, as well as the dependence of plasma potential on the voltage applied to the end-electrodes.

The paper presents experimental investigation of flow of dusty plasma medium formed by macroparticles in argon plasma. The dependences of the coefficient of shear viscosity of such liquid on the external force causing the flow of dusty plasma liquid and on the pressure of plasma-generating gas are studied. It is found that the viscosity of the dusty plasma medium decreases with increasing shear stress and increases with increasing pressure of buffer gas. An experimental investigation of the dynamics of macroparticles in an unperturbed liquid dusty plasma medium as a function of coupling parameter is performed; in so doing, formations of particles whose motion is correlated are observed in the region of high values of coupling parameter. It is assumed that the non-Newtonian pattern of dusty plasma liquid may be due to the emergence of crystal-like dusty plasma clusters in the ‘liquid’ phase. An experimental investigation of a crystalline dusty plasma structure under the effect of laser radiation is performed; in so doing, a macroscopic flow of the crystalline dusty plasma structure is observed under the effect of shear stress. The mechanism of formation and subsequent annihilation of edge misfit dislocations is observed and the threshold pattern of such flow is established; the threshold value of power of laser radiation is determined.