In the realm of plasma physics and energy research, a team of scientists from the Institute of Applied Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IAP RAS) has made notable strides in understanding the behavior of plasma flows within magnetic fields. The researchers, Sergey A. Koryagin, Mikhail E. Viktorov, Artem V. Korzhimanov, and Andrey A. Elyasin, have delved into the dynamics of supersonic plasma flows colliding within a magnetic arc, shedding light on a phenomenon that could have significant implications for the energy sector.
The team’s work, published in the journal “Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion,” focuses on the analytical substantiation of the parameters of a surface wave observed in numerical simulations of colliding supersonic plasma flows within a magnetic arc. This research is particularly relevant to the “Solar Wind” experiment conducted at IAP RAS. The study reveals that an ion-acoustic surface wave emerges in the regime of dense plasma flows when their dynamic pressure is comparable to the pressure of an undisturbed magnetic field. In such scenarios, the plasma flows effectively push the initial magnetic field out of their volume.
The researchers found that the frequency of this surface wave lies between the ion gyrofrequencies inside the plasma bundle and in the outer region of the confining magnetic field. In the external rarefied medium, the near-surface structure exhibits a heterogeneous magnetic sound, characterized by consistent pressure and low total polarization. The energy of this structure is primarily contained in the kinetic energy of the wave motion of ions within the tube. Notably, the electric field strength is significantly increased outside the plasma bundle. This increase is necessary to maintain a uniform electron electric drift velocity inside the transition layer and is also linked to the propagation of ion sound into the outer environment.
The findings of this research could have practical applications in the energy sector, particularly in the development of fusion energy. Understanding the behavior of plasma flows within magnetic fields is crucial for the design and operation of fusion reactors, which aim to harness the energy produced by fusion reactions. The insights gained from this study could contribute to the optimization of plasma confinement and stability, ultimately advancing the feasibility of fusion as a clean and sustainable energy source.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.