Pressure tensor in the presence of velocity shear: Stationary solutions and self-consistent equilibria

Journal Article · Sat Nov 15 00:00:00 EST 2014 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4901570· OSTI ID:22403249

Pegoraro, F. ^[1]; Califano, F. ^[1]; Del Sarto, D. ^[2]; Jenko, F. ^[3]

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1. Physics Department “E. Fermi,” University of Pisa, Largo B. Pontecorvo 3, 56127 Pisa (Italy)
2. Institut Jean Lamour, UMR 7198 CNRS - Université de Lorraine, BP 239 F-54506 Vandoeuvre les Nancy (France)
3. Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik, Boltzmannstr. 2, D-85748 Garching (Germany)

Observations and numerical simulations of laboratory and space plasmas in almost collisionless regimes reveal anisotropic and non-gyrotropic particle distribution functions. We investigate how such states can persist in the presence of a sheared flow. We focus our attention on the pressure tensor equation in a magnetized plasma and derive analytical self-consistent plasma equilibria which exhibit a novel asymmetry with respect to the magnetic field direction. These results are relevant for investigating, within fluid models that retain the full pressure tensor dynamics, plasma configurations where a background shear flow is present.

• OSTI ID: 22403249
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 21, Issue 11; Other Information: (c) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ANISOTROPY
ASYMMETRY
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS
EQUILIBRIUM
MAGNETIC FIELDS
PLASMA
SHEAR
TENSORS
VELOCITY