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Electron heat transport down steep temperature gradients

Journal Article · · Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States)
Electron heat transport is studied by numerically solving the Fokker-Planck equation, with a spherical harmonic representation of the distribution function. The first two terms (f/sub 0/, f/sub 1/) suffice, even in steep temperature gradients. Deviations from the Spitzer-Haerm law appear for lambda/L/sub T/ ((mean free path)/(temperature gradient length))> or approx. =0.01, as a result of non-Maxwellian f/sub 0/. For lambda/L/sub T/> or approx. =1, the heat flux is (1/3) of the free-streaming value. In intermediate cases, a harmonic law describes well the hottest part of the plasma.
Research Organization:
Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique -Energie, Universite du Quebec, Varennes, Quebec J0L 2P0, Canada
OSTI ID:
6399357
Journal Information:
Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 49:26; ISSN PRLTA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English