A detailed investigation of the properties of a Vlasov-Maxwell equilibrium for the force-free Harris sheet

Journal Article · Tue Dec 15 00:00:00 EST 2009 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3268771· OSTI ID:21371230

Neukirch, T; Wilson, F; Harrison, M G ^[1]

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1. School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews KY16 9SS (United Kingdom)

A detailed discussion is presented of the Vlasov-Maxwell equilibrium for the force-free Harris sheet recently found by Harrison and Neukirch [Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 135003 (2009)]. The derivation of the distribution function and a discussion of its general properties and their dependence on the distribution function parameters will be given. In particular, the distribution function can be single-peaked or multipeaked in two of the velocity components, with possible implications for stability. The dependence of the shape of the distribution function on the values of its parameters will be investigated and the relation to macroscopic quantities such as the current sheet thickness will be discussed.

• OSTI ID: 21371230
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 16, Issue 12; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.3268771; (c) 2009 American Institute of Physics; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
BOLTZMANN-VLASOV EQUATION
DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
PLASMA
SHAPE
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
EQUATIONS
FLUID MECHANICS
FUNCTIONS
HYDRODYNAMICS
MECHANICS
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS