Alpha loss-cone Alfven-wave instabilities in a sharp-boundary model of a tandem-mirror central cell

Journal Article · Wed Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · Phys. Fluids; (United States)

OSTI ID:5181990

Ho, S K; Nevins, W M; Smith, G R; Miley, G H

The Alfven waves of a cylindrical, sharp-boundary plasma, which models the plasma in a tandem-mirror central cell, have been analyzed for instabilities driven by the loss cone of the alpha-particle distribution function. Improved methods for treating the waves, the distribution function, and the instability have been developed and used. The many normal modes of the cylindrical plasma can be found reliably. The diffusion-front method for calculation of the distribution function allows accurate and rapid computation of instability growth rates and marginal-stability boundaries. Present tandem-mirror reactor designs have densities and temperatures that lead to instability. Consequences of the instability should be assessed by studying the quasilinear evolution of the alpha particles.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, University of California, Livermore, California 94550
• OSTI ID: 5181990
• Journal Information: Phys. Fluids; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Fluids; (United States) Vol. 31:6; ISSN PFLDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700101 -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Confinement
Heating
& Production
700107* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Instabilities
ALFVEN WAVES
ALPHA PARTICLES
BOUNDARY LAYERS
CHARGED PARTICLES
CONFIGURATION
CONFINEMENT
CYLINDRICAL CONFIGURATION
DESIGN
DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS
FUNCTIONS
HYDROMAGNETIC WAVES
INSTABILITY
LAYERS
LOSS CONE
MAGNETIC MIRRORS
OPEN PLASMA DEVICES
PLASMA
PLASMA CONFINEMENT
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA SIMULATION
SIMULATION
TANDEM MIRRORS
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES