Instabilities in uranium plasma.The nonlinear evolution of unstable sound waves in a uranium plasma has been calculated using a multiple time-scale asymptotic expansion scheme. The fluid equations used include the fission power density, radiation diffusion, and the effects of the changing degree of ionization of the uranium atoms. The nonlinear growth of unstable waves is shown to be limited by mode coupling to shorter wavelength waves which are damped by radiation diffusion. This mechanism limits the wave pressure fluctuations to values of order delta P/P equal to about .00001 in the plasma of a typical gas-core nuclear rocket engine. The instability is thus not expected to present a control problem for this engine.
Document ID
19720027670
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Tidman, D. A. (Versar, Inc. Springfield, Va., United States)
Date Acquired
August 6, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1971
Subject Category
Physics, Plasma
Meeting Information
Meeting: Symposium on Uranium Plasmas: Research and Applications