Generation of a radial electric field in a cylindrical plasma column with an axial magnetic field

The current state of research on generating and controlling a radial electric field in a magnetized plasma in cylindrical geometry is reviewed. Such systems are widely used in many plasma-physics applications ranging from thermonuclear fusion and plasma mass separation to the development of plasma thrusters. Primarily experimental studies are analyzed with an emphasis on the installation parameters and experiments conditions that enable generating controlled distributions of electrical potential. Data reported by various research teams are summarized in tables, allowing predictions of the potential reproducible under specific experimental conditions.