Theory of the filamentation instability in an intense electron beam propagating through a collisional plasma

Journal Article · Sat Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1983 · Phys. Fluids; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.864036· OSTI ID:5664032

Uhm, H S

The filamentation instability of an intense electron beam propagating through a collisional plasma is examined. The effects of the transverse energy and of the pinch force (self-pinch as well as an applied magnetic field) are included. It is assumed that the characteristic perpendicular wavelength of the perturbations is much less than the beam radius. The stability analysis is carried out for the beam electron distribution in which all beam electrons have the same energy in rotating frames and a Lorentzian distribution in axial canonical momentum. From the stability analysis, it is found that the transverse energy and the pinch force strongly stabilize the instability. Moreover, the axial momentum spread plays a major stabilizing role.

• Research Organization: Naval Surface Weapons Center, White Oak, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
• OSTI ID: 5664032
• Journal Information: Phys. Fluids; (United States), Vol. 26:10
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
COLLISIONAL PLASMA
ELECTRON BEAM INJECTION
ELECTRON BEAMS
INSTABILITY
KINETIC EQUATIONS
PLASMA FILAMENT
RELATIVISTIC RANGE
STABILIZATION
BEAM INJECTION
BEAMS
ENERGY RANGE
EQUATIONS
LEPTON BEAMS
PARTICLE BEAMS
PLASMA
700101* - Fusion Energy- Plasma Research- Confinement
Heating
& Production