Self-generation of megagauss magnetic fields during the expansion of a plasma

Journal Article · Thu Jul 15 00:00:00 EDT 2010 · Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics (Print)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVE.82.016408· OSTI ID:21362192

Thaury, C; Mora, P; Heron, A; Adam, J C ^[1]

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1. Centre de Physique Theorique, Ecole Polytechnique, CNRS, 91128 Palaiseau (France)

The expansion of a plasma slab into a vacuum is studied using one-dimensional and two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. As electrons transfer their longitudinal kinetic energy to ions during the expansion, the electron temperature becomes anisotropic. Once this anisotropy exceeds a threshold value, it drives the Weibel instability, leading to magnetic fields in the megagauss range. These fields induce energy transfer between the longitudinal and transverses directions, which influences the expansion. The impact of a cold electron population on this phenomenon is also investigated.

• OSTI ID: 21362192
• Journal Information: Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics (Print), Vol. 82, Issue 1; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.82.016408; (c) 2010 The American Physical Society; ISSN 1539-3755
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ANISOTROPY
ELECTRON TEMPERATURE
ELECTRON TRANSFER
ELECTRONS
ENERGY TRANSFER
EXPANSION
INSTABILITY
IONS
KINETIC ENERGY
MAGNETIC FIELDS
ONE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
PLASMA
SIMULATION
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
CHARGED PARTICLES
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ENERGY
FERMIONS
LEPTONS