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Nonlocal hybrid-kinetic stability analysis of the mirror-drift-cone instability

Journal Article · · Phys. Fluids; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.862509· OSTI ID:5935108
A hybrid-kinetic model (Vlasov ions and cold-fluid electrons) is used to develop a fully nonlocal theory of the mirror-drift-cone instability. The stability analysis assumes electrostatic flute perturbations about a cylindrical ion equilibrium f/sup 0//sub i/(H/sub perpendicular/-..omega../sub i/P/sub theta/, v/sub z/), where ..omega../sub i/=const is the angular velocity of mean rotation. The radial eigenvalue equation for the potential amplitude phi (r) is solved exactly for the particular choice of f/sup 0//sub i/ corresponding to a sharp-boundary (rectangular) density profile. The resulting dispersion relation for the complex eigenfrequency ..omega.. is investigated numerically for a broad range of system parameters including the important influence of large ion orbits and ion thermal effects. It is found that the instability growth rate is typically more severe for fast rotational equilibria (..omega../sub i/=omega-circumflex/sup +//sub i/) with axis encircling orbits than for slow rotational equilibria (..omega../sub i/=omega-circumflex/sup -//sub i/). Stability behavior is investigated for the entire range of r/sub L/i/R/sub p/ allowed by the equiibrium model (0<2r/sub L/i/R/sub p/<1).
Research Organization:
Plasma Fusion Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
OSTI ID:
5935108
Journal Information:
Phys. Fluids; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Fluids; (United States) Vol. 22:11; ISSN PFLDA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English