Three-dimensional flow structure in the vicinity of the pulsed surface arc discharge in a magnetic field

The structure of a flow that appears during the motion of a pulsed surface arc discharge in a transverse magnetic field is described. It is shown that the motion of the plasma channel leads to the formation of a toroidal vortex. The typical velocity of gas inflow to the wall in the aerodynamic wake of the arc was 30 – 50 m/s and corresponded to the value of up to 40% of the maximum expansion velocity of the gas during the current pulse.