Finite beta effects on the drift-cyclotron instability

Journal Article · Tue May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979 · Phys. Fluids; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.862686· OSTI ID:6202990

Gladd, N T; Huba, J D

The local dispersion equation for the drift-cyclotron instability is derived and solved in order to examine the effects of finite beta associated with (a) transverse electromagnetic perturbations (deltaBnot =0), and (b) resonant and nonresonant delB orbit modifications of both electrons and ions. Moreover, a formalism is chosen which allows consideration of variable density gradients, (m/sub e//m/sub i/)/sup 1/2/< or approx. =r/sub L/i/L/sub N/< or approx. =1, on the ions. A detailed numerical study of the effects of finite beta on the general dispersive character and unstable spectrum is presented as well as a consideration of the effects of finite beta on the most rapidly growing mode. It is found that finite beta, in general, increases the frequency and reduces the growth rate but does not completely stabilize the drift-cyclotron instability. The transition of the drift-cyclotron instability into the lower-hybrid-drift instability which occurs for r/sub L/i/L/sub N/approx. = (m/sub e//m/sub i/)/sup 1/4/ is also discussed.

• Research Organization: University of Maryland, Department of Physics and Astronomy, College Park, Maryland 20742
• OSTI ID: 6202990
• Journal Information: Phys. Fluids; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Fluids; (United States) Vol. 22:5; ISSN PFLDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700107* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Instabilities
700108 -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Wave Phenomena
BETA RATIO
CYCLOTRON INSTABILITY
DISPERSION RELATIONS
DRIFT INSTABILITY
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
EQUATIONS
INHOMOGENEOUS PLASMA
INSTABILITY
KINETIC EQUATIONS
MAGNETIC MIRRORS
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
OPEN PLASMA DEVICES
ORBITS
PINCH DEVICES
PLASMA
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MICROINSTABILITIES
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES