Alfven ion-cyclotron instability in tandem-mirror plasmas. II

Journal Article · Wed Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · Phys. Fluids; (United States)

OSTI ID:6565611

Smith, G R; Nevins, W M; Sharp, W M

The linear theory of Alfven ion-cyclotron instability is extended by a rigorous treatment of plasma nonuniformity along the equilibrium magnetic field. A standard phase-integral dispersion relation provides stability boundaries. Two ion distribution functions allow modeling of plasmas formed in various ways, including neutral-beam injection both perpendicular and oblique to magnetic field lines. Stability results are quantitatively consistent with past and present experiments. The results further indicate that two important features of stable mirror cells in future experiments are large mirror ratios and pitch-angle distributions that are broad or are peaked far from perpendicular to the magnetic field.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, University of California, Livermore, California 94550
• OSTI ID: 6565611
• Journal Information: Phys. Fluids; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Fluids; (United States) Vol. 27:8; 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
BEAM INJECTION
BREMSSTRAHLUNG
CHARGED PARTICLES
CORRELATIONS
CYCLOTRON RADIATION
DISPERSION RELATIONS
DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EQUILIBRIUM
FUNCTIONS
INSTABILITY
IONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC MIRRORS
NEUTRAL ATOM BEAM INJECTION
OPEN PLASMA DEVICES
PLASMA
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA PRODUCTION
PLASMA SIMULATION
RADIATIONS
SIMULATION
TANDEM MIRRORS
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
TMX DEVICES