Kelvin-Helmholtz instability in inhomogeneous plasmas

Journal Article · Fri May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA086iA05p03653· OSTI ID:6378103

Huba, J D

The influence of plasma and magnetic field gradients on the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability is investigated. The instability is driven by a sheared ion velocity flow parallel to the magnetic field. The modes considered satisfy k/sup 2/L/sup 2/>>1, where k is the wave number and L is the scale length of the inhomogeneity. It is found that a density gradient has a stablizing effect, while a temperature gradient has a destabilizing effect on the fastest growing mode. However, both these influence are relatively weak. More important, it is found that a magnetic field gradient is strongly stabilizing in finite ..beta.. plasmas because of an ion delB drift wave resonance.

• Research Organization: Science Applications, Inc., McLean, Virginia 22102
• OSTI ID: 6378103
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 86:A5; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700107* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Instabilities
HELMHOLTZ INSTABILITY
INHOMOGENEOUS PLASMA
INSTABILITY
INSTABILITY GROWTH RATES
ION DRIFT
MAGNETIC FIELDS
PLASMA
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MACROINSTABILITIES
SHEAR
TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS