Journal of Plasma Physics

Table of Contents - August 1975 - Volume 14, Issue 01  

Research Article

Kinetic description of linear theta-pinch equilibria

D. B. Batchelora1 and R. C. Davidsona1†

a1 Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742

Abstract

Equilibrium properties of linear theta-pinch plasmas are studied within the framework of the steady-state (∂ / ∂ t = 0) Vlasov– Maxwell equations. The analysis is carried out for an infinitely long plasma column aligned parallel to an externally applied axial magnetic field Bzext ê 2. Equilibrium properties are calculated for the class of rigid-rotor Vlasov equilibria, in which the jth component distribution function f j(H⊥, Pθ, υ 2) depends on perpendicular energy H⊥ and canonical angular momentum Pθ, exclusively through the linear combination H⊥ – ω jPθ, where ω j = const. = angular velocity of mean rotation. General equilibrium relations that pertain to the entire class of rigid-rotor Vlasov equilibria are discussed; and specific examples of sharp- and diffuse-boundary equilibrium configurations are considered. Rigid-rotor density and magnetic field profiles are compared with experimentally observed profiles. A general prescription is given for determining the functional dependence of the equilibrium distribution function on H⊥−ωjPθg in circumstances, where the density profile or magnetic field profile is specified.

(Received October 10 1974)

Footnotes

† Temporary address: Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87544.