Sheared-flow generalization of the Harris sheet
- Institute for Fusion Studies, The University of Texas, Austin, Texas 78712 (United States)
A novel, exact class of solutions to the Vlasov-Maxwell system, with self-generated magnetic fields and nonuniform plasma flows, are constructed. It is shown that a gyrotropic distribution function (independent of gyrophase) does not allow equilibrium shear flow; introduction of agyrotropy is essential for the maintenance of spatially nonuniform velocity fields. The new self-consistent sheared-flow solutions include the shearless Harris sheet [E. G. Harris, Nuovo Cimento 23, 117 (1962)] solution as a special case. These equilibria are likely to be relevant to a variety of astrophysical flows (most natural flows are sheared) and to a better understanding of the laboratory phenomena observed, for example, in the device MRX [Magnetic Reconnection Experiment, M. Yamada, H. Ji, S. Hsu, T. Carter, R. Kulsrud, N. Bretz, F. Jodes, Y. Ono, and F. Perkins, Phys. Plasmas 4, 1936 (1997)] designed to study magnetic reconnection. (c) 2000 American Institute of Physics.
- OSTI ID:
- 20215731
- Journal Information:
- Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 7; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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