The magnetic mirror force in plasma fluid modelsIn the past decade, there have been several attempts to include the magnetic mirror force in the equation of motion for a plasma in a fluid formalism. In the process, some confusion has been evident regarding when and how this should be done. This problem has been addressed in the literature, but these treatments appear to have been forgotten or misunderstood. The mathematical arguments are summarized so that the physical consequences are readily perceived. It is shown that for an isotropic plasma fluid, in the direction parallel or anti-parallel to a magnetic field, the forces associated with a diverging magnetic field cancel out. Only for anisotropies in the fluid properties does the diverging field influence the plasma dynamics.
Document ID
19890026413
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Comfort, R. H. (Alabama, University Huntsville, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1988
Subject Category
Plasma Physics
Meeting Information
Meeting: Huntsville Workshop on Magnetosphere/Ionosphere Plasma Models