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Title: Current channel migration and magnetic field penetration in a perfectly conducting plasma with emitting, conducting boundaries

Abstract

In collisionless simulations of the plasma erosion opening switch, a highly conductive plasma allows magnetic field penetration through the entire length of the plasma, to depths almost two orders of magnitude greater than the collisionless skin depth, {ital c}/{omega}{sub pe}. Field penetration is accomplished by a narrow (skin-depth-like) current channel that migrates through the plasma. The plasma behind the current channel is unable to shield the rising magnetic field from the body of the plasma and allows it to penetrate almost instantly and completely through the plasma up to the current channel. The migration of the channel and the penetration of the field appear to occur in the absence of both Coulomb collisions and instabilities. These unusual features are permitted by the electric field structure in the plasma behind the current channel and the presence of conducting boundaries that can emit electrons.

Authors:
;  [1];  [2]
  1. Plasma Physics Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375-5000 (US)
  2. Applied Theoretical Physics Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
5591319
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Journal of Applied Physics; (USA)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 66:6; Journal ID: ISSN 0021-8979
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY; PLASMA SWITCHES; MAGNETIC FIELDS; CHANNELING; ELECTRIC CURRENTS; ELECTRIC FIELDS; PENETRATION DEPTH; SIMULATION; CURRENTS; ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT; SWITCHES; 700108* - Fusion Energy- Plasma Research- Wave Phenomena

Citation Formats

Grossmann, J M, Ottinger, P F, and Mason, R J. Current channel migration and magnetic field penetration in a perfectly conducting plasma with emitting, conducting boundaries. United States: N. p., 1989. Web. doi:10.1063/1.344287.
Grossmann, J M, Ottinger, P F, & Mason, R J. Current channel migration and magnetic field penetration in a perfectly conducting plasma with emitting, conducting boundaries. United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.344287
Grossmann, J M, Ottinger, P F, and Mason, R J. 1989. "Current channel migration and magnetic field penetration in a perfectly conducting plasma with emitting, conducting boundaries". United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.344287.
@article{osti_5591319,
title = {Current channel migration and magnetic field penetration in a perfectly conducting plasma with emitting, conducting boundaries},
author = {Grossmann, J M and Ottinger, P F and Mason, R J},
abstractNote = {In collisionless simulations of the plasma erosion opening switch, a highly conductive plasma allows magnetic field penetration through the entire length of the plasma, to depths almost two orders of magnitude greater than the collisionless skin depth, {ital c}/{omega}{sub pe}. Field penetration is accomplished by a narrow (skin-depth-like) current channel that migrates through the plasma. The plasma behind the current channel is unable to shield the rising magnetic field from the body of the plasma and allows it to penetrate almost instantly and completely through the plasma up to the current channel. The migration of the channel and the penetration of the field appear to occur in the absence of both Coulomb collisions and instabilities. These unusual features are permitted by the electric field structure in the plasma behind the current channel and the presence of conducting boundaries that can emit electrons.},
doi = {10.1063/1.344287},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5591319}, journal = {Journal of Applied Physics; (USA)},
issn = {0021-8979},
number = ,
volume = 66:6,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Sep 15 00:00:00 EDT 1989},
month = {Fri Sep 15 00:00:00 EDT 1989}
}