Structure of Collision-Free Magnetohydrodynamic Waves

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1962 · Physics of Fluids (New York)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1706544· OSTI ID:4768908

Wilson, Theodore A.

Properties of the two-fluid plasma equations which lead to a partial theoretical model for the collisionless shock wave are investigated. First, a nonlinear symmetric-pulse solution to the two-fluid equations for a cold collisionless plasma is described. The propagation speed of the pulse is between the Alfven speed and the fast-wave speed, and the pulse thickness is of the order of (m_ic²/4 pi e²N)^1/2, ex cept for geometries in which the wave normal makes an angle of the order of (m_e/m/sub i/)^1/2 or less with the upstream magnetic field. An effective conductivity is then introduced in the equations of motion of the plasma and a shock thickness is estimated. The calculated dependence of shock thickness on Mach number is shown to agree with the available experimental data. Finally, the growth of a sinusoidal pinch instability of a current-carrying plasma is shown to have the average effect of a finite conductivity as was postulated.

• Research Organization: Cornell Univ., Ithaca, N.Y.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-17-005488
• OSTI ID: 4768908
• Journal Information: Physics of Fluids (New York), Journal Name: Physics of Fluids (New York) Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 5; ISSN 0031-9171; ISSN PFLDAS
• Publisher: American Institute of Physics
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
CONFIGURATION
CURRENTS
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
FLUIDS
HYDROMAGNETIC WAVES
INTERACTIONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MIXING
MOTION
NUMERICALS
PINCH
PLASMA
PULSES
SHOCK WAVES
STABILITY
THICKNESS
VELOCITY