Weibel instability in the spherical corona of a laser fusion target

Journal Article · Thu Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985 · Phys. Fluids; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.865268· OSTI ID:5510313

True, M A

The Weibel instability is caused by anisotropy in the velocity distribution. In the collisionless spherical corona of a laser fusion target, anisotropy in electron velocity space is naturally produced by a localized source because angular momentum, l = mv/sub perpendicular/r, is conserved and the perpendicular energy, E/sub perpendicular/ = l/sup 2//2mr/sup 2/, decreases at radii large compared to the source radius. This occurs even if the source is locally isotropic (e.g., inverse bremsstrahlung around the critical density). Linear growth rates are computed for the Weibel instability with a model distribution that includes the aforementioned effects as well as diffusion in angular momentum and energy loss by hydrodynamic expansion.

• Research Organization: KMS Fusion, Inc., P. O. Box 1567, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106
• DOE Contract Number: AC08-82DP40152
• OSTI ID: 5510313
• Journal Information: Phys. Fluids; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Fluids; (United States) Vol. 28:8; ISSN PFLDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700107* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Instabilities
ANGULAR MOMENTUM
ANISOTROPY
COLLISIONLESS PLASMA
DISTRIBUTION
ENERGY LOSSES
INSTABILITY
INSTABILITY GROWTH RATES
LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA
LOSSES
PLASMA
PLASMA INSTABILITY
VELOCITY