Linear and quasilinear analysis of the finite. beta. modified two-stream instability in a magnetized plasma

Thesis/Dissertation · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:5918268

Houghton, R L

A program to calculate fully consistent electromagnetic dispersion relations has been developed. A variational technique is used which includes gradients in density, temperature, and magnetic field as well as all components of the electromagnetic wavefield. A full calculation is presented for the modified two-stream instability in low-, medium-, and high-..beta.. plasmas. Frequency and growth rates are calculated for varying perpendicular and parallel wave numbers, electron versus ion temperature ratios and electron drifts. A comparison with an electrostatic dispersion relation is made. The effect of finite ..beta.. on the instability is found to be stabilizing and substantial. A Weibel-type instability is also found in this regime if there is a difference in the perpendicular and parallel electron temperatures. Saturation mechanisms are also studied and, for the low- and medium-..beta.. cases, electron and ion trapping and drift relaxation are of the same order and probably act in concert as a saturation mechanism. In the high-..beta.. case, magnetic trapping dominates as a saturation mechanism. Anomalous resistivity calculations are presented.

• Research Organization: Auburn Univ., AL (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5918268
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700107* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Instabilities
DISPERSION RELATIONS
HIGH-BETA PLASMA
INSTABILITY
LOW-BETA PLASMA
MEDIUM-BETA PLASMA
PLASMA
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MICROINSTABILITIES
TWO-STREAM INSTABILITY
VARIATIONAL METHODS