Stability Properties of a Cylindrical Rotating P-Layer Immersed in a Uniform Background Plasma,
Abstract
The electrostatic stability properties of a rotating, charge-neutralized P-layer are investigated within the framework of a hybrid (Vlasov-fluid) model in which the layer ions are described by the Vlasov equation, and the layer electrons and the uniform background plasma are described as macroscopic, cold fluids. It is assumed that the P-layer is thin, with radial thickness (2a) much smaller than the mean radius (R sub 0), and that nu << 1, where nu is Budker's parameter for the layer ions. Electrostatic stability properties are calculated for perturbations about a weakly diamagnetic P-layer with rectangular density profile. The stability analysis is carried out including the effects of a uniform background plasma, and weak self magnetic fields. Although a slow rotational P-layer (P sub 0 > 0) is found to be stable, it is shown that a fast rotational P-layer (P sub 0 < 0) is unstable for sufficiently high background plasma density ((omega sub p) squared >> (omega sub ci) squared). The typical instability growth rate is a substantial fraction of the ion cyclotron frequency.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA060378
Entities
People
- Han S. Uhm
- Ronald C. Davidson
Organizations
- University of Maryland