Observations of an Ion-Driven Instability in Non-Neutral Plasmas Confined on Magnetic Surfaces

Q. R. Marksteiner, T. Sunn Pedersen, J. W. Berkery, M. S. Hahn, J. M. Mendez, B. Durand de Gevigney, and H. Himura
Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 065002 – Published 12 February 2008

Abstract

The first detailed experimental study of an instability driven by the presence of a finite ion fraction in an electron-rich non-neutral plasma confined on magnetic surfaces is presented. The instability has a poloidal mode number m=1, implying that the parallel force balance of the electron fluid is broken and that the instability involves rotation of the entire plasma, equivalent to ion-resonant instabilities in Penning traps and toroidal field traps. The mode appears when the ion density exceeds approximately 10% of the electron density. The measured frequency decreases with increasing magnetic field strength, and increases with increasing radial electric field, showing that the instability is linked to the E×B flow of the electron plasma. The frequency does not, however, scale exactly with E/B, and it depends on the ion species that is introduced, implying that the instability consists of interacting perturbations of ions and electrons.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 21 May 2007

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.100.065002

©2008 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Q. R. Marksteiner1,*, T. Sunn Pedersen1,†, J. W. Berkery1, M. S. Hahn1, J. M. Mendez1, B. Durand de Gevigney1, and H. Himura2

  • 1Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, USA
  • 2Kyoto Institute of Technology, Department of Electronics, Matsugasaki, Kyoto 606-8585

  • *qrm1@columbia.edu
  • tsp22@columbia.edu

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 100, Iss. 6 — 15 February 2008

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×