Ion Velocity Distribution Function Investigated Inside an Unstable Magnetized Plasma Exhibiting a Rotating Nonlinear Structure

Journal Article · Fri Jun 03 00:00:00 EDT 2011 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVLETT.106.225006· OSTI ID:21538391

Rebont, C; Claire, N; Pierre, Th; Doveil, F ^[1]

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1. PIIM, UMR6633 CNRS/Universite de Provence, case 321, centre universitaire de Saint-Jerome, 13397 Marseille (France)

The frequent situation where a strongly nonlinear rotating structure develops in a linear magnetized plasma column is investigated experimentally with emphasis on the ion velocity distribution function (IVDF). Most often, a mode m=2 appears exhibiting a large density and potential perturbation with angular frequency slightly above the ion cyclotron frequency. For the first time the spatiotemporal evolution of the IVDF is studied using time-resolved laser induced fluorescence to explore the ion's interaction with the nonlinear wave propagating inside the column and at the origin of plasma transport outside the limiter. The ion fluid exhibits an alternance from azimuthal to radial velocity due to the electric field inside the rotating structure. A fluid model also allows us to locally reconstruct the self-consistent electric field evolution which contradicts all existing theories.

• OSTI ID: 21538391
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Vol. 106, Issue 22; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.225006; (c) 2011 American Institute of Physics; ISSN 0031-9007
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
CYCLOTRON FREQUENCY
DENSITY
DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS
DISTURBANCES
ELECTRIC FIELDS
FLUIDS
FLUORESCENCE
INTERACTIONS
LASERS
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
PERTURBATION THEORY
PLASMA
POTENTIALS
RADIAL VELOCITY
TIME RESOLUTION
EMISSION
FUNCTIONS
LUMINESCENCE
PHOTON EMISSION
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RESOLUTION
TIMING PROPERTIES
VELOCITY