Influence of Axial Energy Spread on the Negative-Mass Instability in a Relativistic Nonneutral E-Layer,
Abstract
This paper investigates the influence of an axial energy spread on the negative-mass instability in a relativistic nonneutral E-layer aligned parallel to a uniform axial magnetic field (B sub 0)(e sub z). The stability analysis is carried out within the framework of the linearized Vlasov-Maxwell equations. It is assumed that the E-layer is thin with radial thickness much smaller than the mean radius and that nu gamma sub 0 << 1, where nu is Budker's parameter and gamma sub 0 mc-squared is the mean electron energy. Stability properties are investigated for the choice of electron distribution function in which all electrons have the same value of canonical angular momentum and a step-function distribution in axial momentum p sub z. The negative-mass growth rate is calculated including the important stabilizing influence of axial energy spread, and it is show that modest energy spread is sufficient to stabilize perturbations with axial wavenumber.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA070484
Entities
People
- Hwan-sup Uhm
- Ronald C. Davidson
Organizations
- University of Maryland