Observation of poloidal magnetic flux emission from a low-pressure spark: validation of the hypothesis of constrained plasma dynamics?

A.B.Blagoev; S.K.H.Auluck; V.Yordanov

REVIEW 4 major objections 5 minor 15 references

Observation of poloidal magnetic flux emission from a low-pressure spark: validation of the hypothesis of constrained plasma dynamics?

T0 review · 4 major / 5 minor · reviewed 2026-08-01 · deepseek-v4-flash

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Pith's one-line read A low-pressure air spark emits poloidal magnetic flux whose waveform is not proportional to the discharge current, supporting the hypothesis that electron-inertia terms restore momentum balance when the standard single-fluid equation cannot

desk verdict New, partly reproducible spark transients that might indicate poloidal flux emission, but the claim rests on unshielded diamagnetic loops and an unproven capacitive-cancellation assumption. read the letter →

arxiv 2607.26466 v1 pith:IDYLTOZE submitted 2026-07-29 physics.plasm-ph

A.B.Blagoev , V.Yordanov , S.K.H.Auluck This is my paper · ORCID

classification physics.plasm-ph

keywords poloidalmagneticfluxdiamagneticloopelectroninertiaconstrainedplasmadynamicslow-pressuresparkfrequencymodesD-dotprobecurrentzerocrossings

verification ladder T0 review T1 audit T2 compute T3 formal

The pith

A machine-rendered reading of the paper's core claim, the machinery that carries it, and where it could break.

The reading

The paper aims to establish that a low-pressure spark discharge emits poloidal magnetic flux through a mechanism beyond the usual helical kink of the current channel, and that this emission is a signature of electron-inertia effects normally discarded in single-fluid plasma models. Using clockwise and counterclockwise diamagnetic loops, a shielded magnetic probe, and a D-dot probe placed outside the spark, the authors observe that the rate of change of poloidal flux (the Diff signal) is not proportional to the discharge current, and that sharp transients in the flux, electric-flux, and current-derivative signals occur repeatedly just before the current crosses zero. They interpret these signatures as the action of constrained plasma dynamics: when the truncated momentum equation cannot be satisfied on mismatched timescales, electron inertia generates anomalous azimuthal currents that emit poloidal flux. The authors are careful to call this a tentative validation, noting that a quantitative theory reproducing the features is still missing. If correct, the result would justify rebuilding continuum plasma models with electron-mass-related small parameters and could bear on astrophysical jet collimation and magneto-inertial fusion.

What carries the argument

The central diagnostic is the pair of clockwise and counterclockwise diamagnetic loops: half the difference of their signals (Diff) gives the rate of change of enclosed poloidal magnetic flux, while half the sum (Sum) gives the capacitive electric-flux pickup. The central theoretical object is the electron-inertia term proportional to 1/(ε0 ω_pe²) in the generalized Ohm's law and momentum equation, which is normally neglected; the paper's mechanism is the resonant coupling, via the Hall effect, of a radial electrostatic electron mode and an azimuthal electromagnetic electron mode at the plasma frequency, seeded by any weak axial magnetic field, leading to a paramagnetic azimuthal current and

What would settle it

Cancel or reverse the ambient axial magnetic field around the spark with Helmholtz coils; if the poloidal-flux transients in the Diff signal persist unchanged, the proposed seed-field-driven electron-mode mechanism is falsified. A complementary check is an independent Rogowski-coil measurement of the discharge current: if the claimed zero crossings do not align with the Diff and D-dot transients, the central timing correlation collapses.

Watch

Extended reading notes

Core claim

On the paper's own terms, the central discovery is that the poloidal magnetic flux enclosed by the diamagnetic loop pair is not proportional to the discharge current, as it would be for a helical deformation of the current channel; instead its waveform is strikingly different, and its derivative shows damped sub-microsecond transients that occur consistently just before zeros of the current. In some shots, the integrated signals do not return to baseline after the capacitor discharge, suggesting a persistent axial current, poloidal flux, and electric flux that the authors attribute to an autonomous dynamo driven by electron-inertia effects. The authors argue that the transients are the exter

Load-bearing premise

The whole interpretation rests on the claim that a weak ambient axial magnetic field can couple radial and azimuthal electron oscillations at the plasma frequency to produce a growing paramagnetic azimuthal current; if that coupling does not survive collisions and neutral drag in a partially ionized spark, the observed transients remain unexplained but do not validate the hypothesis.

Editorial extensions

If this is right

The standard practice of dropping electron-inertia terms from single-fluid plasma models would be inadequate in boundary regions and fast transients, requiring a multiple-scale perturbation treatment with an electron-mass-related small parameter.
Poloidal magnetic flux can be emitted without a helical kink of the current channel, so diamagnetic-loop measurements in pulsed-power devices should not automatically be interpreted as kink activity.
If the mechanism is real, any finite plasma born from a no-plasma state in a weak ambient field should spontaneously generate poloidal flux, offering a possible origin for axial magnetic fields in astrophysical jets.
The persistent post-discharge signals suggest an autonomous dynamo that stores electric and magnetic energy; this could motivate new compact fusion concepts combining magnetic and inertial confinement at near-solid density.

Reading between the lines

Editorial extensions of the paper, not claims the author makes directly.

A direct test would be to place the spark in Helmholtz coils that cancel or reverse the local geomagnetic field; if the Diff transients depend on the seed field's magnitude or sign, the mode-coupling story is strongly supported, while independence would falsify it.
The same analysis could be applied to existing pulsed-power data: if electron-inertia emission is generic, current-zero transients should appear in other capacitor-bank discharges, and re-examining old diamagnetic-loop records for non-current-proportional flux might reveal overlooked events.
The authors' interpretation assumes the Bθ-dot integration faithfully tracks the axial current; a separate Rogowski-coil measurement would independently verify the zero-crossing timing and rule out probe-position artifacts.
A quantitative collisional theory of the proposed mode coupling in a partially ionized, neutral-dominated spark would be the next step; without it, the observations remain suggestive rather than predictive.

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Editorial analysis

A structured set of objections, weighed in public.

Desk editor's note, referee report, and a circularity audit.

Desk Editor's Note

read the letter

This is not a paper to ignore: it reports genuinely new, partly reproducible transient signals in a low-pressure spark—Diff, D-dot, Sum, and sometimes Bθ-dot—that cluster near current zeroes. If those signals are what they appear to be, they are a puzzle worth explaining. But the paper’s leap from those transients to validation of the 'constrained dynamics' hypothesis (electron-inertia-driven anomalous currents) is much too fast, and the crucial inference rests on an unproven cancellation assumption.

What the paper does well: the experiments are described in enough detail to reproduce, with three consecutive shots per session to show repeatability. The authors discuss baseline and time-zero corrections, and in the 200-torr, 3-mm-gap series the integrated Bθ-dot signal fits a damped sinusoid cleanly, yielding reasonable circuit parameters. The control of moving the D-dot probe between plasma-facing and electrode-facing positions is a good idea. The paper is also admirably honest: it calls the validation 'tentative' and keeps the question mark in the title.

The soft spot is load-bearing. The Diff signal is defined as 0.5*(CW−CCW), and the statement that it equals dΦ_p/dt requires the capacitive pickup on the two diamagnetic loops to be identical. The paper states that CW and CCW are 'not exact mirror images' and attributes this to capacitive coupling, but it never quantifies the asymmetry or shows that it cancels in the difference. The loops are unshielded, and the D-dot and Sum channels—both dominated by electric-field pickup—show the same sub-microsecond transients at the same times. A small asymmetry in that pickup would place the transients into Diff, and Fig-13’s 'poloidal flux not proportional to current' becomes an artifact. No calibration, symmetry check, or electrostatic shielding of the loops is reported.

Other weaknesses line up with that. The microscopic mechanism is taken from Auluck’s earlier papers (refs [3,4,5]) with no new derivation or quantitative prediction; no error bars or shot statistics are given; and shots are 'selected to bring out the main points.' The alignment of transients with current zeroes is visual, using an integrated Bθ-dot signal that is itself contaminated in other shots. The elevated baselines are interesting but the 'autonomous dynamo' interpretation is speculation.

Who should read it: plasma diagnostic specialists and MHD modelers who might be able to design the decisive control—shielding the loops or measuring their capacitive response. It deserves a serious referee, mainly to force a capacitive-rejection test. I would not cite it as evidence yet, but I would bring it to a reading group as a well-presented cautionary tale about unquantified pickup.

Referee Report

4 major / 5 minor

Summary. This paper reports a low-pressure spark experiment in air at ~100-200 torr using a capacitor bank, with diagnostics consisting of clockwise/counterclockwise diamagnetic loops, an electrostatically shielded Btheta-dot probe, and a D-dot probe. The central claim is that the half-difference of the diamagnetic-loop signals (Diff) measures dPhi_p/dt, that transients in Diff and D-dot occur consistently just before current zero crossings, and that the integrated Diff signal (poloidal magnetic flux) is not proportional to the discharge current, thereby ruling out a helical-kink interpretation. These observations are interpreted as providing tentative validation of the hypothesis of constrained plasma dynamics, in which electron-inertia effects generate 'anomalous' electron currents and emit poloidal magnetic flux. The paper explicitly labels the validation as tentative, but several load-bearing assumptions are not quantitatively established.

Significance. If the central flux-emission claim were quantitatively secure, this would be a significant challenge to standard single-fluid MHD models and would motivate a redevelopment of continuum plasma models that retain electron-inertia terms, with potential implications for astrophysical jet collimation and magneto-inertial fusion. The paper's strengths include presentation of three-shot consecutive series, explicit baseline and time-zero corrections, an electrostatically shielded Btheta probe, and quantitative circuit parameter estimates (792-795 nH, 37-44 mOhm) from the damped-sinusoidal fit in Fig-13. However, the validation rests on two unresolved pillars: the assumed perfect cancellation of capacitive pickup in the Diff channel, and the asserted electron-mode-coupling mechanism taken from self-authored references without an independent quantitative prediction.

major comments (4)

[§III.i, §IV.2, §III.ii(e)] Diff channel contamination by capacitive pickup. Section III.i states that the CW and CCW signals are 'not exact mirror images' and attributes this to capacitive coupling; Section IV.2 says the Sum signal represents this electric-flux effect. The claim in Section III.ii(e) and IV.1 that Diff is magnetically pure follows from Faraday's law only for two loops with identical capacitive coupling. No calibration, shielding, or symmetry test of the loop pair is reported, and the D-dot and Sum channels show transients at the same times as Diff (Figs-5,14). A small residual asymmetry in capacitive pickup would place the same transients into Diff. The manuscript must quantify the common-mode rejection of the loop pair (e.g., by applying a known electrostatic source or by comparing the loop response with the plasma absent) before the poloidal-flux-emission claim can be accepted.
[§II, §IV.8] Shot selection and absence of statistics. Section II says 'We present results from a selection of shots which bring out the main points of interest most clearly.' The reproducibility argument in Section IV.8 is based on displaying consecutive triples, but no complete shot log, pass/fail criterion, or error analysis is given. The statement in Section III.ii(e) that transients occur 'consistently before the zeros' is not backed by a statistical test or by a count of how many recorded shots show the effect. The absence of error bars is especially problematic for the integrated Diff signal, whose shot-to-shot variation is acknowledged in Fig-9. Please provide all-shot statistics or a pre-defined selection rule.
[§I.a, §V] The validating mechanism is not derived in this paper. Section I.a summarizes a 'microscopic mechanism' from refs [4,5], both by the same author; the growth rate, mode coupling, and saturation are asserted, not re-derived or independently simulated. Section V begins 'A mathematical theory that can reproduce the observed features would be highly desirable,' admitting that no quantitative model is presented. Without a quantitative prediction of the transient amplitude, spectrum, or phase relative to current zeros, the observed qualitative coincidence cannot 'provide strong support' (Section III.ii.e) for the hypothesis. Please provide an independent calculation or clearly demote the conclusion to a conjecture.
[§III.ii.a, §IV.4, Figs-19/24] The identification of current zero crossings and the proportionality of Btheta-dot to dI/dt is load-bearing for the timing claim in Figs-14/15/16. Section IV.4 and Figs-19/24 show cases where the integrated Btheta signal does not recover its baseline and contains transients; in those shots the probe signal is not a pure dI/dt. The damped-sinusoid fit in Fig-13 works for some shots, but the transients in Btheta-dot (Figs-17,19) mean that its zero crossings do not necessarily coincide with true current zeros. The association of Diff/D-dot transients 'just before zeros' therefore needs an independent current measurement (e.g., a Pearson coil or a calibrated shunt), or a demonstration that the Btheta-dot transients do not shift the zero-crossing times.

minor comments (5)

[Abstract, §VI] The implications for astrophysical jets and controlled fusion are speculative and not supported by the present data; consider moving these to an 'outlook' paragraph and softening the language.
[Fig-4, Fig-11 captions] The time-base notation is inconsistent: Fig-4 says 10 us/div while Fig-11 says 20 us/div. Please unify and state the sampling rate for each figure.
[§II, Fig-3] The Btheta-dot probe calibration constant (2.4 kA/uVs) appears only in Section III.ii.a; the effective area and number of turns should be stated in the setup so that the calibration can be checked.
[References] Reference [8] is an arXiv preprint; please update to the published version or provide a DOI. Also check reference [7] for a typo in the URL ('htps').
[§V] The 'autonomous dynamo' interpretation is speculative; the elevated baselines could also result from integration drift or baseline-correction residuals. Please distinguish more carefully between data and hypothesis.

Circularity Check

1 steps flagged · score 4.0 of 10

The experimental data are largely independent, but the interpretation and predicted signatures are imported from a chain of self-citations by the same author, so the validation is partly circular.

self citation load bearing [Section I.a (after Eq. 4) and Section V]
"A microscopic mechanism has been suggested [4] for the generation of these electron currents taking the example of an axially and azimuthally uniform plasma. ... An analytical discussion of this growth is given elsewhere [4]. This growth is halted [5] when a quasistatic equilibrium is established between the magnetic force density ... and the net rate of 'momentum balance deficit'."

The predicted observable signatures — poloidal magnetic flux emission, charge oscillations, and transients near current zeros — are not derived in the present paper. They are delegated to refs [3,4,5], all authored by S.K.H. Auluck. The experimental data are then read as 'tentative validation' of a mechanism whose analytical content resides entirely in those self-citations. Since [3,4,5] are neither machine-checked, independently reproduced, nor replaced by an in-paper derivation, the central interpretive claim reduces to a chain of unverified prior work by the same author.

full rationale

The paper's raw experimental data — the diamagnetic-loop, B-theta-dot, and D-dot waveforms — are new, and the Faraday-law relation between the Diff signal and poloidal flux is a legitimate independent diagnostic principle if the capacitive asymmetry is controlled. However, the paper itself acknowledges that the CW and CCW signals are not exact mirror images and attributes this to capacitive coupling, yet no shielding or calibration of the diamagnetic loops is reported; this is a serious limitation on the Diff-based claim, but it is a measurement-validity concern rather than a circularity. The more clear-cut circularity is the theoretical framing: the electron-inertia mode-coupling mechanism that predicts the observed transients is taken verbatim from refs [3,4,5], all by the same first author, and the paper provides no independent derivation, simulation, or external benchmark. Thus the observations support the hypothesis only if one already accepts the self-cited theory. The paper's own cautious language ('tentative validation', the question mark in the title) softens, but does not remove, this self-citation dependence. Overall, the central experimental content is independent, but the load-bearing theoretical interpretation is not.

Assumptions & free parameters 2 free parameters · 4 assumptions · 2 invented entities

The central claim rests on a self-developed theoretical mechanism, a seed-field assumption, and a particular probe interpretation, none of which are independently grounded within this paper. The only numbers fitted to data are circuit parameters and a probe calibration, but the conceptual framework is largely taken from the authors' own prior publications.

free parameters (2)

Damped-sinusoid circuit inductance/resistance per shot = L≈792-795 nH, R≈37-44 mΩ
Inferred from fitting the integrated Bθ-dot signal; used to define the current reference waveform and its zero crossings.
Bθ-dot probe calibration constant = 2.4 kA/μVs
Used to convert the integrated magnetic probe signal into current amplitude; calibration uncertainty is not reported.

assumptions (4)

domain assumption The multi-fluid continuum equations including all electron-inertia terms (Eqs 1-2) must be obeyed at all times.
Section I.a; the entire argument presumes the exact equations from refs [2,3] and rejects truncation.
domain assumption A finite plasma is always created from a no-plasma state in a region never completely devoid of magnetic flux, so a nonzero seed axial field exists.
Section VI: 'Both these assertions can be taken as axioms with universal validity until a counterexample is discovered.'
ad hoc to paper Resonant coupling of radial electrostatic and azimuthal electromagnetic electron modes produces exponential growth of the axial field with growth rate proportional to the seed field (mechanism of refs [4,5]).
Section I.a; no derivation appears in this paper; relies on self-authored refs [4,5].
domain assumption The integrated Bθ-dot probe signal is proportional to the discharge current, so its zero crossings are the true current zeroes.
Section IV.4 and Fig-13; central to the claimed correlation of transients with current zeroes; transients in the Bθ-dot signal itself could shift the inferred zeros.

invented entities (2)

Anomalous electron currents
purpose: Carry the momentum-balance deficit when the truncated MHD equation cannot be satisfied; source of the observed poloidal magnetic flux and electric flux.
Postulated by the authors' hypothesis; no direct measurement of electron currents, only indirect external flux signatures.
Autonomous dynamo / steady E×B drift currents
purpose: Explain elevated baselines and long-lived axial current/PMF after the capacitor current has stopped.
Speculative mechanism with no quantitative model or independent confirmation.

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Cite this review

Pith. "Pith review of Observation of poloidal magnetic flux emission from a low-pressure spark: validation of the hypothesis of constrained plasma dynamics?." pith.science (2026). https://pith.science/paper/IDYLTOZE

@misc{pith2026260726466,
  author       = {Pith},
  title        = {Pith review of: Observation of poloidal magnetic flux emission from a low-pressure spark: validation of the hypothesis of constrained plasma dynamics?},
  year         = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://pith.science/paper/IDYLTOZE}},
  note         = {Machine review of arXiv:2607.26466}
}

read the original abstract

This paper revisits an earlier discussion of the hypothesis of constrained dynamics [IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci. 41, 2013 pp. 437-446] with better experiments and insights. This hypothesis pertains to the observation that the standard single fluid equation of motion of a current-carrying plasma has terms governed by diverse physical phenomena which are constrained to evolve at widely mismatched characteristic space and time scales. It should then be possible to construct counterexamples where the equation cannot be satisfied at all times. The hypothesis posits that the usually neglected electron inertia terms come into play in such examples and create "anomalous" electron currents whose signatures can be detected outside the plasma. One of these signatures is emission of poloidal magnetic flux not attributable to a helical deformation of the current channel. Following the cue of the above-mentioned paper, a series of low-pressure spark experiments have been performed. Clockwise and counterclockwise diamagnetic loops, an electrostatically shielded magnetic probe oriented to intercept the azimuthal magnetic flux and an electric displacement probe are deployed outside the spark channel. Observation of several expected signatures provides a tentative validation of this hypothesis. This suggests that summary neglect of electron inertia in continuum models of plasma needs to be replaced by a redevelopment of these models based on perturbation theory with an electron-mass-related small parameter. Major insights could then arise into unsolved problems such as the origin of axial magnetic field in astrophysical jets. Near-solid-density magneto-inertial confinement fusion may be a potential practical application.

Figures

Figures reproduced from arXiv: 2607.26466 by the authors.

**Figure 19.** Fig.19: There are transients in the [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p031_19.png] view at source ↗

Discussion (0). Continue with ORCID to comment.

Reference graph

Works this paper leans on

15 extracted references · 1 linked inside Pith

[1]

Bourchier blvd., 1164, Sofia, Bulgaria

University of Sofia, Faculty of Physics, 5 J. Bourchier blvd., 1164, Sofia, Bulgaria
[2]

Box 49, 00-908 Warsaw, Poland

International Scientific Committee on Dense Magnetized Plasmas, Hery 23, P.O. Box 49, 00-908 Warsaw, Poland
[3]

anomalous

Corresponding author: blagoev@phys.uni-sofia.bg Abstract: This paper revisits an earlier discussion of the hypothesis of constrained dynamics [IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci. 41, 2013 pp. 437- 446] with better experiments and insights. This hypothesis pertains to the observation t hat the standard single fluid equation of motion of a current - carrying plasma has...

2013
[4]

Poloidal magnetic flux emission that begins with a rapidly oscillating azimuthal electric field should be an externally observable signature of this phenomenon
[5]

Similarly, the radial electron mode causes charge density oscillations which should induce an oscillating charge on any floating conductor nearby and outside the plasma
[6]

no plasma state

The onset of electric field oscillations should be correlated with the disappearance of the net centrally directed force. This paper revisits the experiment described in Ref [1] employing newly demonstrated detectors of magnetic and electric flux emission to observe these signatures. This is essentially a low-pressure spark discharge in air between two co...
[7]

These loops are very well centred with respect to the device axis and lie in planes perpendicular to it

Emission of poloidal magnetic flux: Signals derived from clockwise (CW) and counterclockwise (CCW) diamagnetic loops are almost, but not exact, mirror images of each other. These loops are very well centred with respect to the device axis and lie in planes perpendicular to it. They have identical dimensions to within manufacturing tolerances. The signals ...
[8]

Emission of electric flux: The fact that the CW and CCW signals are not exact mirror images of each other as expected from Faraday’s Law is a reflection of the capacitive coupling between the power circuit driving the plasma and the measuring circuit connected to the oscilloscope . Electric flux emitted by the power circuit, which is proportional to the i...

Show all 15 references

[9]

The signal from the magnetic probe is proportional to the current derivative when the relative position between the magnetic probe and the current carrying element is constant

Flux of the azimuthal magnetic field: The magnetic probe shown in Fig-3 is sensitive to the flux of the azimuthal magnetic field passing through its turns, which is in turn proportional to the circuit-determined current flowing through the electrode and the plasma. The signal ...
[10]

were a property of the capacitive coupling rather than the inductive coupling
[11]

This requires that the plasma does not introduce a significant time varying contribution to the inductance

Damped oscillatory current flow: The discharge of the capacitor through the air spark plasma is expected to create a damped sinusoidal current waveform , whose derivative is measured by the magnetic probe . This requires that the plasma does not introduce a significant time va...
[12]

The Sum signals are quite reproducible as seen in Fig 8

Transients in the Sum signal: The Sum signal has a damped oscillatory waveform with sharp transients near the extrema. The Sum signals are quite reproducible as seen in Fig 8. The transients coincide with similar transients in the Diff signal and the D-dot signal
[13]

Transients in the Diff signal: The Diff signal, which is the rate of change of the poloidal magnetic flux passing through the diamagnetic loops, consistently exhibits pronounced transients at different pressures. Fig - 14 and Fig-15 demonstrate that (1) the transients have a d...
[14]

Transients in the D-dot signal: Transients in the D -dot signal are sometimes masked by the plasma displacement effect when the probe faces the plasma as shown in Fig 18 but are seen prominently near the end of the discharge. Fig-16 and Fig-23 illustrate that transients in the...
[15]

Manifestation of Constrained Dynamics in a Low-Pressure Spark

General nature of observed features: The point about displaying data from three consecutive shots in four series is to bring out the fact that the features described above are largely reproducible, with perhaps some variation in details. They are thus not an artifact . Since t...

2013 arXiv

Pith tools

Reviewed August 1, 2026 · model on record in the stance chip above.

[1] [1]

Bourchier blvd., 1164, Sofia, Bulgaria

University of Sofia, Faculty of Physics, 5 J. Bourchier blvd., 1164, Sofia, Bulgaria

[2] [2]

Box 49, 00-908 Warsaw, Poland

International Scientific Committee on Dense Magnetized Plasmas, Hery 23, P.O. Box 49, 00-908 Warsaw, Poland

[3] [3]

anomalous

Corresponding author: blagoev@phys.uni-sofia.bg Abstract: This paper revisits an earlier discussion of the hypothesis of constrained dynamics [IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci. 41, 2013 pp. 437- 446] with better experiments and insights. This hypothesis pertains to the observation t hat the standard single fluid equation of motion of a current - carrying plasma has...

2013

[4] [4]

Poloidal magnetic flux emission that begins with a rapidly oscillating azimuthal electric field should be an externally observable signature of this phenomenon

[5] [5]

Similarly, the radial electron mode causes charge density oscillations which should induce an oscillating charge on any floating conductor nearby and outside the plasma

[6] [6]

no plasma state

The onset of electric field oscillations should be correlated with the disappearance of the net centrally directed force. This paper revisits the experiment described in Ref [1] employing newly demonstrated detectors of magnetic and electric flux emission to observe these signatures. This is essentially a low-pressure spark discharge in air between two co...

[7] [7]

These loops are very well centred with respect to the device axis and lie in planes perpendicular to it

Emission of poloidal magnetic flux: Signals derived from clockwise (CW) and counterclockwise (CCW) diamagnetic loops are almost, but not exact, mirror images of each other. These loops are very well centred with respect to the device axis and lie in planes perpendicular to it. They have identical dimensions to within manufacturing tolerances. The signals ...

[8] [8]

Emission of electric flux: The fact that the CW and CCW signals are not exact mirror images of each other as expected from Faraday’s Law is a reflection of the capacitive coupling between the power circuit driving the plasma and the measuring circuit connected to the oscilloscope . Electric flux emitted by the power circuit, which is proportional to the i...