Nonideal stability analysis of differentially rotating plasmas with global curvature effects

Journal Article · Mon Nov 17 00:00:00 EST 2025 · Physical Review. E

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/rgr3-p9wg· OSTI ID:3008783

Haywood, Alexander ^[1]; Ebrahimi, Fatima ^[2]

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1. Princeton Univ., NJ (United States)
2. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States); Princeton Univ., NJ (United States)

The linear stability of global nonaxisymmetric modes in differentially rotating, magnetized, nonideal plasma is critical to classifying turbulence and transport phenomena. We investigate the competition between the local magneto-rotational instability (MRI) and the magneto-curvature instability (MCI)—a distinct nonaxisymmetric low-frequency curvature-driven global branch that appears alongside MRI. Here, to accomplish this, we developed a nonideal global spectral method, which is validated against NIMROD code simulations. This spectral approach allows for the direct derivation of an extended effective potential formalism and a resistive Alfvénic resonance condition, providing a framework for direct analysis of energy contributions and confinement mechanisms. Our study reveals that the global, low-frequency MCI persists at low magnetic Reynolds numbers (Rm), whereas the localized, high-frequency MRI is stabilized by diffusive broadening of its structure around its Alfvénic resonances. Consequently, we identify the global MCI branch as the primary onset mechanism for nonaxisymmetric magnetohydrodynamic instability in systems with finite curvature, e.g., astrophysical rotators. We establish distinct parameter regimes for mode dominance: MCI prevails in geometrically moderate-thickness disks with intermediate curvature and radial gaps, while MRI dominates in thin, low-curvature disks with large radial gaps. Mode competition is also highly sensitive to the flow profile, particularly vorticity and its gradient, with nonuniform shear profiles exhibiting more robust instability due to flow curvature (i.e., the second derivative of the flow profile) and shear contributions. A key outcome is the development of spectral diagrams derived from the global spectral method. These diagrams comprehensively map dominant instabilities and their characteristics, offering a predictive tool for critical onset parameters (i.e., flow curvature, magnetic field, and Rm) and facilitating the interpretation of experimental and simulation results. Notably, these diagrams demonstrate that the global MCI is generally the sole unstable mode at the initial onset of nonaxisymmetric instability.

• Research Organization: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: AC02-09CH11466
• OSTI ID: 3008783
• Journal Information: Physical Review. E, Journal Name: Physical Review. E Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 112; ISSN 2470-0053; ISSN 2470-0045
• Publisher: American Physical Society (APS)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English