Computation of the ideal-MHD continuous spectrum in axisymmetric plasmas

Journal Article · Mon Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · Journal of Computational Physics; (United States)

OSTI ID:6671742

Many phenomena in laboratory plasmas, solar and stellar plasmas, and the earth's magnetosphere are dominated by a magnetic field and are described by the equations of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD for short). Spectral analysis by means of the normal-mode approach is often indispensable to obtain a deeper insight in such phenomena. In linear ideal (dissipationless) MHD, the spectrum of oscillation frequencies of an inhomogeneous plasma consists of a continuous spectrum in addition to the discrete spectrum. The continuum modes are characterized by spatial non-square integrable singularities and a non-exponential growth or decay in time. The importance of the continuous spectrum is beyond dispute: it is essential for the determination of the temporal behavior of the plasma and for the understanding of the structure of the spectrum since it serves as the only location of possible accumulation points. Also, the knowledge of the internal structure of the continuous spectrum, and hence the location of the singularities, is a clear and in practice often indispensable-advantage for accurately solving the MHD equations. In addition, the resonant absorption of Alfven continuum waves is a promising scheme for plasma heating. Hence, the ideal continuous spectrum has been studied by man authors.

• OSTI ID: 6671742
• Journal Information: Journal of Computational Physics; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Computational Physics; (United States) Vol. 105:1; ISSN 0021-9991; ISSN JCTPAH
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420400* -- Engineering-- Heat Transfer & Fluid Flow
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
990200 -- Mathematics & Computers
CALCULATION METHODS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
FINITE DIFFERENCE METHOD
FLUID MECHANICS
HEATING
HYDRODYNAMICS
INHOMOGENEOUS PLASMA
ITERATIVE METHODS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MECHANICS
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
PLASMA
PLASMA HEATING
SIMULATION