Abstract: A device for measuring properties of plasma projects linearly polarized light to an object plasma as incident light, and the light coming from the plasma in response to the incident light is separated into an S-polarized component and a P-polarized component, so that temperature and other properties of the plasma are determined from such S- and P-polarized components.

Abstract: An MHD power generator includes a pair of electrode units between which a plasma stream flows from a plasma stream generating source. Each electrode unit comprises a plurality of segmented electrodes connected with each other with an insulating material disposed between the next adjacent segmented electrodes. The segmented electrode is made of magnetic material such as iron and cooled by an electrode cooling device. A pair of electrically insulating plates are mounted i.e. one on the upper surface of the electrode units and the other on the lower surface of the electrode units to define a plasma passage. A plurality of lead wires are each connected to a corresponding segmented electrode so as to take out an electric power which is generated in the plasma passage.