Plasma current and conductivity effects on hose instability

Journal Article · Sat Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Phys. Fluids; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.864608· OSTI ID:6256271

Lampe, M; Sharp, W M; Hubbard, R F; Lee, E P; Briggs, R J

Hose instability dispersion relations, which include a self-consistent treatment of the spatial and temporal evolution of plasma conductivity and plasma current, are derived for a relativistic beam propagating in weakly ionized gas. A simplified conductivity model is used which neglects temperature dependence of the electron mobility. In some regimes the results are dramatically different from those found previously for a beam propagating in a fixed conductivity channel. For example, the hose growth rate is found to decrease with increasing current I/sub b/ for a beam propagating in initially neutral gas, even though the plasma return current fraction increases rapidly with I/sub b/. As another example, it is found that an externally driven discharge current can completely eliminate hose instability in a fixed conductivity channel, but causes only a weak decrease in growth rate when the plasma conductivity is modeled self-consistently. OFF

• Research Organization: Plasma Theory Branch, Plasma Physics Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington DC 20375
• OSTI ID: 6256271
• Journal Information: Phys. Fluids; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Fluids; (United States) Vol. 27:12; ISSN PFLDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700107* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Instabilities
BEAM-PLASMA SYSTEMS
DISPERSION RELATIONS
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
FLUIDS
GASES
HOSE INSTABILITY
INSTABILITY
INSTABILITY GROWTH RATES
IONIZED GASES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MICROINSTABILITIES
WEAKLY IONIZED GASES