Two-dimensional Vlasov solution for a collisionless plasma jet across transverse magnetic field lines with a sheared bulk velocity

Journal Article · Thu Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 2005 · Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.72.036405· OSTI ID:20706357

Echim, Marius M ^[1]; Lemaire, Joseph F ^[2]

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1. Institut d'Aeronomie Spatiale de Belgique, Avenue Circulaire 3, B-1180 Brussels (Belgium)
2. Centre for Space Radiation, Universite Catholique de Louvain, Chemin du Cyclotron 2, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve (Belgium)

We consider a two-dimensional (2D) stationary stream of a collisionless plasma injected across an external stationary magnetic field and a background stagnant plasma. The solution is found by solving the Vlasov equation for each species (electrons and protons), the Maxwell-Ampere equation for the magnetic vector potential, and the equation of plasma quasineutrality for the electrostatic potential. The solution of the stationary Vlasov equation is given in terms of two constants of motion and one adiabatic invariant. The partial charge and current densities are given by analytical expressions of the moments of the velocity distribution functions for each particle species. The 2D distribution of the plasma bulk velocity, V{sub x}(y,z), is roughly uniform inside the jet. There is no plasma bulk flow in the direction of the magnetic field. Inside the boundary layer interfacing the jet and the stagnant plasma, the bulk velocity has gradients (i.e., shears) in the direction parallel as well perpendicular to the magnetic field. The parallel component of this gradient, {nabla}{sub parallel}V{sub perpendicular}, produces a nonzero electric field component parallel to the magnetic field lines, E{center_dot}B{ne}0. The parallel electric field within the transition layer is a basic element allowing plasma elements to be transported across magnetic field lines in astrophysical systems as well as in laboratory experiments where plasmoids are injected across magnetic fields.

• OSTI ID: 20706357
• Journal Information: Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics, Vol. 72, Issue 3; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.72.036405; (c) 2005 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1063-651X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
BOLTZMANN-VLASOV EQUATION
BOUNDARY LAYERS
COLLISIONLESS PLASMA
CURRENT DENSITY
DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MATHEMATICAL SOLUTIONS
PLASMA JETS
PLASMOIDS
POTENTIALS
PROTONS
SHEAR
STREAMS
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
VELOCITY