Destabilization of the m =1 Diocotron Mode in Non-neutral Plasmas

Journal Article · Mon Mar 13 00:00:00 EST 2000 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.84.2401· OSTI ID:20215772

Finn, John M; Del-Castillo-Negrete, Diego; Barnes, Daniel C

The theory for a Penning-Malmberg trap predicts m=1 diocotron stability. However, experiments with hollow profiles show robust exponential growth. We propose a new mechanism of destabilization of this mode, involving parallel compression due to end curvature. The results are in good agreement with the experiments. The resulting modified drift-Poisson equations are analogous to the geophysical shallow water equations, and conservation of line integrated density corresponds to that of potential vorticity. This analogy predicts Rossby waves in non-neutral plasmas and an m=1 instability in fluids. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.

• OSTI ID: 20215772
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Vol. 84, Issue 11; Other Information: PBD: 13 Mar 2000; ISSN 0031-9007
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA DRIFT
PLASMA CONFINEMENT
POISSON EQUATION
THEORETICAL DATA