The Role of Electron Density in Magnetic Turbulence

Journal Article · Thu Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 2000 · Physics of Plasmas

OSTI ID:783561

Terry, P W; McKay, Cavendish; Fernandex, Eduardo

Inertial range energy transfer, decorrelation, and energy spectra are studied analytically and numerically for strongly anisotropic MHD turbulence augmented by electron density evolution. Applications include interstellar turbulence and magnetic turbulence in fusion devices. For long wavelengths (compared to the ion gyroradius) magnetic and kinetic energies are equipartitioned through interactions that decorrelates on the Alfvenic time scale. Internal energy transfer is governed by advection and decorrelates on the eddy turnover time scale. For short wavelengths, the roles of internal and kinetic energy reverse. Magnetic and internal energies are equipartitioned by the kinetic Alfven interaction, while kinetic energy evolves under a decoupled fluid straining interaction. The spectral indices for magnetic, kinetic, and internal energies are -3/2, -3/2, and -7/4 for long wavelengths and, -2, -5/3, and - 2 for short wavelengths

• Research Organization: University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI (US); National Sciences, Eckerd College (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: (US)
• DOE Contract Number: FG02-89ER53291
• OSTI ID: 783561
• Report Number(s): DOE/ER/53291-330
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ALFVEN WAVES
ELECTRON DENSITY
ENERGY SPECTRA
ENERGY TRANSFER
KINETIC ENERGY
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
THERMONUCLEAR REACTORS
TURBULENCE
WAVELENGTHS