Rarefaction waves, solitons, and holes in a pure electron plasma

Journal Article · Fri Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.871006· OSTI ID:135443

Moody, J D; Driscoll, C F ^[1]

---

1. Department of Physics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093 (United States)

The propagation of holes, solitons, and rarefaction waves along the axis of a magnetized pure electron plasma column is described. The time dependence of the radially averaged density perturbation produced by the nonlinear waves is measured at several locations along the plasma column for a wide range of plasma parameters. The rarefaction waves are studied by measuring the free expansion of the plasma into a vacuum. A new hydrodynamic theory is described that quantitatively predicts the free expansion measurements. The rarefaction is initially characterized by a self-similar plasma flow, resulting in a perturbed density and velocity without a characteristic length scale. The electron solitons show a small increase in propagation speed with increasing amplitude and exhibit electron bursts. The holes show a decrease in propagation speed with increasing amplitude. Collisions between holes and solitons show that these objects pass through each other undisturbed, except for a small offset. {copyright} {ital 1995} {ital American} {ital Institute} {ital of} {ital Physics}.

• DOE Contract Number: FG03-85ER53199
• OSTI ID: 135443
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 2; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ELECTRON DENSITY
ELECTRON GAS
HOLES
SOLITONS
WAVE PROPAGATION