Turbulence in Magnetized Pair Plasmas
- OSTI
Alfvenic-type turbulence in strongly magnetized, low-beta pair plasmas is investigated. A coupled set of equations for the evolution of the magnetic and flow potentials are derived, covering both fluid and kinetic scales. In the fluid (MHD) range those equations are the same as for electron-ion plasmas, so turbulence at those scales is expected to be of the Alfvenic nature, exhibiting critical balance, dynamic alignment, and transition to a tearing mediated regime at small scales. The critical scale at which a transition to a tearing-mediated range occurs is derived, and the spectral slope in that range is predicted to be $$k_\perp^{-8/3}$$ (or $$k_\perp^{-3}, depending on details of the reconnecting configuration assumed). At scales below the electron (and positron) skin depth, it is argued that turbulence is dictated by a cascade of the inertial Alfven wave, which we show to result in the magnetic energy spectrum $$propto k_\perp^{-11/3}$.
- Research Organization:
- Massachusetts Inst. of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA (United States). Plasma Science and Fusion Center
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC), Fusion Energy Sciences (FES)
- DOE Contract Number:
- SC0016215
- OSTI ID:
- 1880224
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Turbulence in Magnetized Pair Plasmas
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journal | October 2018 |
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