NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Computer study of convection of weakly ionized plasma in a nonuniform magnetic field.A weakly ionized plasma in a strong and nonuniform magnetic field exhibits an instability analogous to the flute instability in a fully ionized plasma. The instability sets in at a critical magnetic field. To study the final state of the plasma after the onset of the instability, the plasma equations are integrated numerically assuming a certain initial spectrum of small disturbances. In the regime studied, numerical results indicate a final steadily oscillating state consisting of a single finite amplitude mode together with a time-independent modification of the original equilibrium. These results agree with the analytic results obtained by Simon in the slightly supercritical regime. As the magnetic field is increased further, the wavelength of the final oscillation becomes nonunique. There exists a subinterval in the unstable wave band. Final stable oscillation with a wavelength in this subinterval can be established if the initial disturbance has a sufficiently strong component at the particular wavelength.
Document ID
19720034877
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Shiau, J. N.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Laboratory for Space Physics, Greenbelt, Md., United States)
Date Acquired
August 6, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1972
Publication Information
Publication: Physics of Fluids
Volume: 15
Subject Category
Physics, Plasma
Accession Number
72A18543
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available