Anomalous energy dissipation of electron current pulses propagating through an inhomogeneous collisionless plasma medium

Journal Article · Wed Apr 15 00:00:00 EDT 2009 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3122939· OSTI ID:21276963

Yadav, Sharad Kumar; Das, Amita; Kaw, Predhiman; Sengupta, Sudip ^[1]

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1. Institute for Plasma Research, Bhat, Gandhinagar 382428 (India)

The evolution of fast rising electron current pulses propagating through an inhomogeneous plasma has been studied through electron magnetohydrodynamic fluid simulations. A novel process of anomalous energy dissipation and stopping of the electron pulse in the presence of plasma density inhomogeneity is demonstrated. The electron current essentially dissipates its energy through the process of electromagnetic shock formation in the presence of density inhomogeneity. A direct relevance of this rapid energy dissipation process to the fast ignition concept of laser fusion is shown.

• OSTI ID: 21276963
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 16, Issue 4; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.3122939; (c) 2009 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
COLLISIONLESS PLASMA
ELECTRONS
INHOMOGENEOUS PLASMA
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
PLASMA DENSITY
PLASMA SIMULATION
SHOCK WAVES