A detailed investigation of the properties of a Vlasov-Maxwell equilibrium for the force-free Harris sheet

被引:34
作者
Neukirch, T. [1 ]
Wilson, F. [1 ]
Harrison, M. G. [1 ]
机构
[1] Univ St Andrews, Sch Math & Stat, St Andrews KY16 9SS, Fife, Scotland
关键词
Maxwell equations; plasma instability; plasma magnetohydrodynamics; plasma simulation; Vlasov equation; MAGNETIC-FIELD; PLASMA;
D O I
10.1063/1.3268771
中图分类号
O35 [流体力学]; O53 [等离子体物理学];
学科分类号
070204 ; 080103 ; 080704 ;
摘要
A detailed discussion is presented of the Vlasov-Maxwell equilibrium for the force-free Harris sheet recently found by Harrison and Neukirch [Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 135003 (2009)]. The derivation of the distribution function and a discussion of its general properties and their dependence on the distribution function parameters will be given. In particular, the distribution function can be single-peaked or multipeaked in two of the velocity components, with possible implications for stability. The dependence of the shape of the distribution function on the values of its parameters will be investigated and the relation to macroscopic quantities such as the current sheet thickness will be discussed.
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页数:10
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