CHARGED PARTICLE MOTION IN AN INHOMOGENEOUS MAGNETIC FIELD.

Abstract

The theory necessary to specify a distribution function for charged particles in an inhomogeneous magnetic field was developed. A transfer function is used to define the probability that particles will go from a given state A to a state B in a characteristic distance traveled. The equations of motion for the particles have been derived in order to evaluate the moments of the transfer function. The magnetic field due to two specific magnetic traps is calculated. The first trap is formed by superimposing a transverse field, due to a number of infinite straight current carrying rods, upon a uniform axially-symmetric field. The second trap is of the same form but of finite length with axial magnetic mirrors at each end (Ioffe Bottle). The motion of the charged particles in the infinite conductor configuration was numerically calculated. In the magnetic trap, there seems to be a tendency for the particles with particular injection parameters to escape radially. Other injection parameters tend to result in the containment of the particles. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1964
Accession Number
AD0603602

Entities

People

  • Dalton N. Wirtanen

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Charged Particles
  • Distribution Functions
  • Equations
  • Equations Of Motion
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Magnetic Mirrors
  • Mathematics
  • Particles
  • Probability
  • Transfer Functions

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Combustion and Flow Dynamics.
  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics