In the l = 2/m = 19 Heliotron E heliotron/torsatron device, with a currentless plasma heated
by NBI and ECH, the poloidal distributions were measured of diverted plasma flows near the vacuum
chamber wall in eight sections of one helical field pitch. A vertical asymmetry of these distributions
was observed, contrary to what had been expected from the helical symmetry of the `ideal'
(unperturbed) vacuum divertor magnetic configuration. Under NBI conditions, the density
normalized divertor plasma flow Jd/n̄e was a rising function of the density normalized absorbed
power Pabs/n̄e. This is considered to be a consequence of the power degradation of confinement.
With second harmonic ECH, where the main part of the launched power was absorbed in the
central region, a similar power dependence as for the NBI was observed. With fundamental
ECH, where a considerable fraction of the microwave power was absorbed at the periphery,
Jd/n̄e for some areas of the divertor trace distinctly exceeded those obtained under NBI-only
conditions with the same Pabs/n̄e. On the other hand, two different time responses (fast and
slow) of Jd were observed for the perpendicular NBI and fundamental ECH cases in some particular
positions. The slow response is considered to be caused by a diffusion-like outflow of the bulk plasma to the
divertor. The fast outflow of particles to the divertor might be caused by a loss of locally trapped
high energy electrons and ions.