Nonlinear behavior and turbulence spectra of drift waves and Rossby waves

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Phys. Fluids; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.862504· OSTI ID:5723788

Hasegawa, A; Maclennan, C G; Kodama, Y

Spectrum cascade in drift wave turbulence in a magnetized plasma as well as Rossby wave turbulence in an atmospheric pressure system are studied based on a three-wave decay process derivable from the model equation applicable to both cases. The decay in the three-way interaction occurs to smaller and larger values of vertical-barkvertical-bar. In a region of large wavenumbers this leads to the dual cascade; the energy spectrum cascades to smaller vertical-barkvertical-bar and the enstrophy spectrum to larger vertical-barkvertical-bar, similar to the case of two-dimensional Navier--Stokes turbulence. In a small wavenumber region a resonant three-wave decay process dominates the cascade process, and an anisotropic spectrum develops. As a consequence of the cascade, zonal flows in the direction perpendicular to the direction of inhomogeneity appear which presents a potential implication for the particle confinement in a turbulent plasma.

• Research Organization: Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill, New Jersey 07974
• OSTI ID: 5723788
• Journal Information: Phys. Fluids; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Fluids; (United States) Vol. 22:11; ISSN PFLDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700108* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Wave Phenomena
DECAY INSTABILITY
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
DISPERSION RELATIONS
EQUATIONS
INHOMOGENEOUS PLASMA
INSTABILITY
MAGNETIC FIELDS
NAVIER-STOKES EQUATION
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
PLASMA
PLASMA DRIFT
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA WAVES
SPECTRA
TURBULENCE
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
VORTICES