Nonlinear evolution of drift Alfven and double tearing instabilities

Journal Article · Thu Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1978 · Phys. Fluids; (United States)

OSTI ID:6840211

Lin, A T

A particle model which neglects the compressional components of the axial magnetic field perturbation has been developed to investigate the time evolution of drift Alfven and double tearing instabilities in a finite but low ..beta.. (plasma pressure/magnetic pressure) plasma. It is observed that in a currentless plasma the shear Alfven wave and the drift wave couple together and become unstable. The smoothing out of the density profile limits the growth of the instability. In a plasma with current flowing along the magnetic field line the instability becomes a drift-tearing type which is driven by the magnetic field energy associated with the plasma current. The growth and the interaction of sets of magnetic islands on adjacent rational surfaces results in generation of smaller islands and reconnection of magnetic lines of force between different rational surfaces. This effect enhances local heat and particle transport.

• Research Organization: Center for Plasma Physics and Fusion Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90024
• OSTI ID: 6840211
• Journal Information: Phys. Fluids; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Fluids; (United States) Vol. 21:6; ISSN PFLDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700105 -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Plasma Kinetics-Theoretical-- (-1987)
700107* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Instabilities
ALFVEN WAVES
COLLISIONLESS PLASMA
DAMPING
DISPERSION RELATIONS
EQUATIONS
HELICAL INSTABILITY
HYDROMAGNETIC WAVES
INSTABILITY
INSTABILITY GROWTH RATES
KINETIC EQUATIONS
KINK INSTABILITY
LANDAU DAMPING
LOW-BETA PLASMA
MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
PLASMA
PLASMA DENSITY
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MACROINSTABILITIES
PLASMA SIMULATION