Study of the magnetomechanical effect in a gas discharge with the use of dust particles

This paper reports on a test using laser Doppler anemometry of the hypothesis that the magnetomechanical effect involves rotation of the plasma of the positive gas-discharge column in an axial magnetic field. This was done by measuring the velocities of the dust macroparticles dropping in a vertical discharge tube. No rotation of the gas was revealed at a sensitivity of 40 cm/s. The rotation of dust particles suspended in striations and in the trap near the narrowed region of the discharge in a magnetic field was observed. The possible connection of this rotation with the magnetomechanical effect is discussed.