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Instability of the Lemb{grave e}ge{endash}Pellat equilibrium under ideal magnetohydrodynamics

Journal Article · · Physics of Plasmas
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.871710· OSTI ID:284311
; ;  [1]
  1. Department of Physics, The University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095 (United States)

The magnetotail-like equilibrium model of Lemb{grave e}ge and Pellat [Phys. Fluids, {bold 25}, 1995 (1982)] has been used in a number of stability calculations over the past 13 years. Most of these computations examine collisionless tearing{emdash}a mode of tail instability first suggested by Coppi {ital et} {ital al}. [Phys. Rev. Lett. {bold 16}, 1207 (1966)]{emdash}or other kinetic modes and involve both analytical and computer analysis. In this Communication it is shown, analytically, that the equilibrium model of Lemb{grave e}ge and Pellat is {ital unstable} {ital according} {ital to} {ital ideal} {ital magnetohydrodynamics} ({ital MHD}). More precisely, for the ideal MHD stability theory of Bernstein {ital et} {ital al}. [Proc. R. Soc. London Ser. A {bold 244}, 17 (1958)] it is proven that {Lambda}={ital p}{sup {prime}}+{Gamma}{ital p}({ital v}{sup {double_prime}}/{ital v}{sup {prime}}){lt}0. {copyright} {ital 1996 American Institute of Physics.}

OSTI ID:
284311
Journal Information:
Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 3; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English