First Observation of Independent Ion and Electron Plasmas after Elapse of Two-Fluid Plasma State

Abstract

We produce independent lithium-ion and electron plasmas that exhibit completely different fluid motions to experimentally explore the physics of two-fluid plasmas; further, we simultaneously confine those plasmas in a nested trap. Despite that, the time elapse for the plasma mixing is much longer than any characteristic time related to fluid dynamics. Thus far, no disruptive phenomena have been observed, and this can possibly be attributed to a two-fluid plasma effect.