Velocity shear effect on Rayleigh{endash}Taylor vortices in nonuniform magnetized plasmas
- Institute for Plasma Research, Bhat, Gandhinagar 382 424 (India)
In this paper, the effect of velocity shear on Rayleigh{endash}Taylor vortices has been demonstrated. An inhomogeneous plasma is considered with a density profile such that the diamagnetic drift velocity {ital V}{sub {ital n}}=({ital cT}{sub {ital e}}/{ital eB}){ital dn}{sub 0}/{ital dx} is a constant and includes the effect of an ambient poloidal shear flow {ital V}{sub {ital eq}}({ital x})={ital V}{sub {perpendicular}0}{sup {prime}}({ital x}{minus}{ital x}{sub 0}){ital y}. The final equation describing the stationary Rayleigh{endash}Taylor vortex is shown to have the structure of a nonlinear Poisson equation, where the nonlinearity arises essentially because of the velocity shear term. This equation has been solved numerically and it has been shown that qualitatively new two-dimensional monopole vortex solutions may be obtained in the appropriate parameter space. Therefore, a new important nonlinear effect related to equilibrium shear flow has been identified in the calculations of Rayleigh{endash}Taylor vortices which results in monopole-like solutions in plasmas. {copyright} {ital 1996 American Institute of Physics.}
- OSTI ID:
- 434937
- Journal Information:
- Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 3, Issue 10; Other Information: PBD: Oct 1996
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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