Theory and simulation of lower-hybrid drift instability for current sheet with guide field

Journal Article · Sat Nov 15 00:00:00 EST 2008 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3013451· OSTI ID:21259648

Yoon, P H ^[1]; Lin, Y; Wang, X Y ^[2]; Lui, A T. Y. ^[3]

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1. Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742 (United States)
2. Physics Department, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849 (United States)
3. Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University, Laurel, Maryland 20723 (United States)

The stability of a thin current sheet with a finite guide field is investigated in the weak guide-field limit by means of linear theory and simulation. The emphasis is placed on the lower-hybrid drift instability (LHDI) propagating along the current flow direction. Linear theory is compared against the two-dimensional linear simulation based on the gyrokinetic electron/fully kinetic ion code. LHDI is a flute mode characterized by k{center_dot}B{sub total}=0; hence, it is stabilized by a finite guide field if one is confined to k vector strictly parallel to the cross-field current. Comparison of the theory and simulation shows qualitatively good agreement.

• OSTI ID: 21259648
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 15, Issue 11; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.3013451; (c) 2008 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DRIFT INSTABILITY
FLUTE INSTABILITY
PLASMA SIMULATION
STABILIZATION