Two-dimensional Vlasov solution for a collisionless plasma jet across transverse magnetic field lines with a sheared bulk velocity
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Authors
Echim, M.M.
Lemaire, J.F.
Discipline
Physical sciences
Subject
Collisionless plasma
Maxwell-Ampere equation
Vlasov solution
Elementary particles
Magnetic fields
Maxwell equations
Plasma collision processes
Plasma flow
Plasma jets
Audience
Scientific
Date
2005Metadata
Show full item recordDescription
We consider a two-dimensional (2D) stationary stream of a collisionless plasma injected across an external stationary magnetic field and a background stagnant plasma. The solution is found by solving the Vlasov equation for each species (electrons and protons), the Maxwell-Ampere equation for the magnetic vector potential, and the equation of plasma quasineutrality for the electrostatic potential. The solution of the stationary Vlasov equation is given in terms of two constants of motion and one adiabatic invariant. The partial charge and current densities are given by analytical expressions of the moments of the velocity distribution functions for each particle species. The 2D distribution of the plasma bulk velocity, Vx(y,z), is roughly uniform inside the jet. There is no plasma bulk flow in the direction of the magnetic field. Inside the boundary layer interfacing the jet and the stagnant plasma, the bulk velocity has gradients (i.e., shears) in the direction parallel as well perpendicular to the magnetic field. The parallel component of this gradient, V ∥ - V⊥, produces a nonzero electric field component parallel to the magnetic field lines, EB≠0. The parallel electric field within the transition layer is a basic element allowing plasma elements to be transported across magnetic field lines in astrophysical systems as well as in laboratory experiments where plasmoids are injected across magnetic fields.
Citation
Echim, M.M.; Lemaire, J.F. (2005). Two-dimensional Vlasov solution for a collisionless plasma jet across transverse magnetic field lines with a sheared bulk velocity. , Physical Review E, Vol. 72, Issue 3, 036405, DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.72.036405.Identifiers
scopus: 2-s2.0-28844482942
Type
Article
Peer-Review
Yes
Language
eng