Whistler Instability in an Electron-Magnetohydrodynamic Spheromak

Journal Article · Mon Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 2007 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVLETT.99.265005· OSTI ID:21028242

Stenzel, R L; Urrutia, J M; Strohmaier, K D ^[1]

---

1. Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095-1547 (United States)

A three-dimensional magnetic vortex, propagating in the whistler mode, has been produced in a laboratory plasma. Its magnetic energy is converted into electron kinetic energy. Non-Maxwellian electron distributions are formed which give rise to kinetic whistler instabilities. The propagating vortex radiates whistler modes along the ambient magnetic field. A new instability mechanism is proposed.

• OSTI ID: 21028242
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 26 Vol. 99; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ELECTRONS
KINETIC ENERGY
MAGNETIC FIELDS
PLASMA
SPHEROMAK DEVICES
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
WHISTLER INSTABILITY