ON THE LIMITING VELOCITY FOR A ROTATING PLASMA

Abstract

A quasi-steady state solution was obtained for a homogenous plasma undergoing simultaneous ionization and rotation in a crossed electricmagnetic field. It was found that the ordinary electron-impact ionization process, when supported by the Landau ion-electron heat transfer mechanism, will be sufficiently rapid to provide a close coupling between the kinetic energy of the ions and the ionization energy of the neutrals under a wide range of conditions. The results can be used to interpret the limiting velocity observed by Alfven (Rev. Mod. Phys. 32:710 (1960)) and Fahleson (Phys. of Fluids 4:123 (1961)) in some recent rotating plasma experiments. The same results can also be used to predict the occurrence of similar limiting velocity in some rectilinear plasma accelerators. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1961
Accession Number
AD0258350

Entities

People

  • Shao-chi Lin

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Couplings
  • Electrons
  • Energy
  • Energy Transfer
  • Fluids
  • Heat Transfer
  • Ionization
  • Kinetic Energy
  • Plasma Accelerators
  • Rotation
  • Steady State

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics
  • Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics