In an example, a method of operating an ultraviolet (UV) light source includes providing a supply power to the UV light source, and activating, using the supply power, the UV light source to emit UV light during a series of activation cycles. The method also includes, during at least one activation cycle in the series, sensing the UV light emitted by the UV light source to measure an optical parameter of the UV light. The optical parameter is related to an antimicrobial efficacy of the UV light. The method further includes adjusting, based on the measured optical parameter, an electrical parameter of the supply power to maintain a target antimicrobial efficacy of the UV light over the series of activation cycles.

An optical waveguide is formed using a gas-enclosed vessel that has an internal space in which a polyvalent ionizable gas is enclosed, a laser beam irradiation unit, and a discharge circuit that causes a pulse current to flow in the gas-enclosed vessel at an initial current value. The pulse current is increased from the initial current value to a subsequent current value greater than the initial current value, and a polyvalent ionization channel is formed in the internal space, while increasing the pulse current, by irradiating the internal space in the plasma state with a trigger laser beam generated by the pulse laser beam irradiation device. The polyvalent ionization channel expands by an inverse pinch effect after the internal space is irradiated with the trigger laser beam due to a concentration of the pulse current in the internal space.

An optical waveguide is formed using a gas-enclosed vessel that has an internal space in which a polyvalent ionizable gas is enclosed, a laser beam irradiation unit, and a discharge circuit that causes a pulse current to flow in the gas-enclosed vessel at an initial current value. The pulse current is increased from the initial current value to a subsequent current value greater than the initial current value, and a polyvalent ionization channel is formed in the internal space, while increasing the pulse current, by irradiating the internal space in the plasma state with a trigger laser beam generated by the pulse laser beam irradiation device. The polyvalent ionization channel expands by an inverse pinch effect after the internal space is irradiated with the trigger laser beam due to a concentration of the pulse current in the internal space.

A plasma interaction simulator is presented. The simulator magnetically induces multiple distinct flows of plasma within a physical plasma vessel. The plasma flows collide with each other at flow interaction boundaries where discontinuities arising due to differences between the flows give rise to interactions. Sensors can be incorporated into the plasma simulator to observe and collect data about the plasma flow interactions.

A plasma interaction simulator is presented. The simulator magnetically induces multiple distinct flows of plasma within a physical plasma vessel. The plasma flows collide with each other at flow interaction boundaries where discontinuities arising due to differences between the flows give rise to interactions. Sensors can be incorporated into the plasma simulator to observe and collect data about the plasma flow interactions.

A spheromak is a plasma of ions and electrons formed into a toroidal shape. A spheromak plasma can include electrons and ions of nearly equal amounts such that it is essentially charge neutral. It contains large internal electrical currents and their associated internal magnetic fields arranged so that the forces within the spheromak are nearly balanced. The spheromak described herein is observed to form around an electric arc in partial atmosphere, and is observed to be self-stable with no external magnetic containment.

An optical waveguide is formed using a gas-enclosed vessel that has an internal space in which a polyvalent ionizable gas is enclosed, a laser beam irradiation unit, and a discharge circuit that causes a pulse current to flow in the gas-enclosed vessel at an initial current value. The pulse current is increased from the initial current value to a subsequent current value greater than the initial current value, and a polyvalent ionization channel is formed in the internal space, while increasing the pulse current, by irradiating the internal space in the plasma state with a trigger laser beam generated by the pulse laser beam irradiation device. The polyvalent ionization channel expands by an inverse pinch effect after the internal space is irradiated with the trigger laser beam due to a concentration of the pulse current in the internal space.

An optical waveguide is formed using a gas-enclosed vessel that has an internal space in which a polyvalent ionizable gas is enclosed, a laser beam irradiation unit, and a discharge circuit that causes a pulse current to flow in the gas-enclosed vessel at an initial current value. The pulse current is increased from the initial current value to a subsequent current value greater than the initial current value, and a polyvalent ionization channel is formed in the internal space, while increasing the pulse current, by irradiating the internal space in the plasma state with a trigger laser beam generated by the pulse laser beam irradiation device. The polyvalent ionization channel expands by an inverse pinch effect after the internal space is irradiated with the trigger laser beam due to a concentration of the pulse current in the internal space.

Examples of a system for generating and confining a compact toroid are disclosed. The system comprises a plasma generator for generating magnetized plasma, a flux conserver for receiving the compact toroid, a power source for providing current pulse and a controller for actively controlling a current profile of the pulse to keep plasma's q-profile within pre-determined range. Examples of methods of controlling a magnetic lifetime of a magnetized plasma by controlling a current profile of the current pulse are disclosed.

Examples of a system for generating and confining a compact toroid are disclosed. The system comprises a plasma generator for generating magnetized plasma, a flux conserver for receiving the compact toroid, a power source for providing current pulse and a controller for actively controlling a current profile of the pulse to keep plasma's q-profile within pre-determined range. Examples of methods of controlling a magnetic lifetime of a magnetized plasma by controlling a current profile of the current pulse are disclosed.