Experiments on Shock Formation in a Q-Device

Abstract

Experiments on shock formation in a Q‐device are described. For equal ion and electron temperatures, $T_i{\mathrm{\hspace{0.17em}=\hspace{0.17em}T}}_e$ , Landau damping prevents shock formation. When the ratio $\mathrm{TeTi}$ is made as large as 3‐4 through ion‐neutral atom collisions, shock formation is observed.