Influence of Strong Self Electric Fields on the Ion Resonance Instability in a Nonneutral Plasma Column,
Abstract
The influence of strong self-electric fields on the ion resonance instability is examined for a cylindrical nonneutral plasma column immersed in a uniform axial magnetic field (B sub 0) (e sub z). The analysis is carried out within the framework of a macroscopic cold-fluid model, and electrostatic stability properties are investigated for the case of rectangular electron and ion density profiles. An important conclusion of this study is that the equilibrium self-electric field can have a large influence on stability behavior. Moreover, for a nonneutral plasma column with significant charge neutralization, it is found that the fundamental mode (l=1) is not the most unstable mode. Rather, higher harmonic perturbations have larger growth rates.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1977
- Accession Number
- ADA070479
Entities
People
- Ronald C. Davidson
Organizations
- University of Maryland