Analytical estimate of phase mixing time of longitudinal Akhiezer-Polovin waves
- Institute for Plasma Research, Bhat, Gandhinagar 382 428 (India)
Phase mixing of a longitudinal Akhiezer-Polovin wave subjected to a small amplitude longitudinal perturbation and its eventual breaking is studied analytically. It is well known that longitudinal Akhiezer-Polovin wave subjected to arbitrarily small longitudinal perturbation breaks via the process of phase mixing at an amplitude well below its limiting amplitude [Verma et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 125005 (2012)]. We analytically show that the phase mixing time (breaking time, ω{sub p}τ{sub mix}) scales with β (phase velocity) and u{sub m}(maximum fluid velocity) as ω{sub p}τ{sub mix}∼(2πβ)/(3δ) [1/u{sub m}{sup 2}−1/4], where δ is the amplitude of velocity perturbation and ω{sub p} is the non-relativistic plasma frequency. This analytical dependence of phase mixing time on β, u{sub m}, and δ is further verified using numerical simulations based on Dawson sheet model.
- OSTI ID:
- 22403244
- Journal Information:
- Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 21, Issue 11; Other Information: (c) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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