Trajectory of a Charged Particle in a Time-Varying Magnetic Field.

Abstract

An analysis of the motion of a single charged particle in a uniform time-varying (B=(B sub zero) sin (omega t)) magnetic field is made assuming cylindrical symmetry. The collisionless, nonrelativistic case results in a form of Mathieu's differential equation. The solution of Mathieu's equation can be either stable (time-bounded) or unstable depending upon the ratio of cyclotron frequency to magnetic field frequency. Several examples of orbits are drawn for various values of cyclotron frequency, field frequency, and initial velocity. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1969
Accession Number
AD0860097

Entities

People

  • William R. Mcfadden

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Charged Particles
  • Cyclotrons
  • Differential Equations
  • Equations
  • Frequency
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Mathematics
  • Particles
  • Symmetry
  • Trajectories

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster
  • Space - Orbital Debris