Kelvin--Helmholtz instability and vortices in magnetized plasma

Journal Article · Sun Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Phys. Fluids; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.866429· OSTI ID:6135546

Horton, W; Tajima, T; Kamimura, T

Analytic theory and implicit particle simulations are used to describe the evolution of the Kelvin--Helmholtz instability and the plasma vortices driven by a nonuniform E x B flow velocity. Formulas for plasma convection arising from the self-consistent plasma electric field give the rate of anomalous momentum transport across the magnetic field. The momentum transport is shown to be controlled by the tilting angle of the elliptical vortex with respect to the direction of the parallel flow. Three stages of evolution are investigated and formulas for the final vortex state are given.

• Research Organization: Institute for Fusion Studies, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712
• OSTI ID: 6135546
• Journal Information: Phys. Fluids; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Fluids; (United States) Vol. 30:11; ISSN PFLDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700107* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Instabilities
ANALYTICAL SOLUTION
CONVECTION
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ENERGY TRANSFER
HEAT TRANSFER
HELMHOLTZ INSTABILITY
INSTABILITY
MAGNETIZATION
MASS TRANSFER
MOMENTUM TRANSFER
PARTICLES
PLASMA
PLASMA DRIFT
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MACROINSTABILITIES
SIMULATION
VELOCITY
VORTICES