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Magnetic field dependence of plasma relaxation timesA previously derived Fokker-Planck collision integral for an electron plasma in a dc magnetic field is examined in the limit in which the Debye length is greater than the thermal gyroradius, which is in turn greater than the mean distance of closest approach. It is demonstrated that the collision integral can be satisfactorily approximated by the classical Landau value (which ignores the presence of a dc magnetic field) if the following replacement is made: In the Coulomb logarithm, the Debye length is replaced by the gyroradius. This induces a fundamental logarithmic dependence on magnetic field in the relaxation times. Numerical comparison of the asymptotic approximations with the previously derived exact results is made, and good agreement is found. The simplification this introduces into the description of collision processes in magnetized plasma is considerable.
Document ID
19750036586
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Montgomery, D.
Joyce, G.
(Iowa, University Iowa City, Iowa, United States)
Turner, L.
(Wisconsin, University Madison, Wis., United States)
Date Acquired
August 8, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1974
Publication Information
Publication: Physics of Fluids
Volume: 17
Subject Category
Plasma Physics
Accession Number
75A20658
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: AT(11-1)-2387
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGL-16-001-043
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF GK-32131
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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