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The effect of current shear on the tearing instability

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 March 2009

R. J. Barker
Affiliation:
Institute for Plasma Research, Stanford University, California
O. Buneman
Affiliation:
Institute for Plasma Research, Stanford University, California

Abstract

A fully relativistic stream superposition model is employed to conduct a linear numerical simulation of a self-consistently confined sheet of collisionless, neutral plasma. This multi-stream model employs a novel variable termed the ‘canonical momentum potential’ (or ‘action function’) to follow the ion and electron dynamics. For the classic, unsheared sheet pinch, growth rates obtained for the tearing instability are in reasonable agreement with previous estimates using an approximate Vlasov approach. Current shear is then introduced into the sheet and growth rates are again measured. Stabilization of the shorter wavelength modes is observed.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1979

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