Magnetic field generation in shock waves

Download
Author
Carter, John P.
Date
1994-06Advisor
Schwirzke, Fred R.
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Laser produced plasma jets interacting with a background plasma have been used to study magnetic field generation in shock waves. Shock heating produces axial electron temperature and density gradients which are perpendicular to the radial temperature and density gradients. Electron heat transport and ion diffusion, in the radial direction, occur at different rates. This combination of nonparallel temperature and density gradients generate a magnetic field in the azimuthal direction. Simulations corroborate the experimental observation that magnetic fields are generated when a supersonic plasma jet interacts with a background plasma. Magnetic flux generated by this mechanism requires no initial field, which is in contrast to the dynamo mechanism which does require an initial seed field. Specific applications analyzed in this thesis include interplanetary shocks and nuclear EMP effects in the MHD domain. It may be assumed that shock generated magnetic fields are also of importance under astrophysical conditions.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.Collections
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
An investigation of self-generated magnetic fields and electron emission in laser-produced plasmas
Case, Roger Salisbury (1974-03);An experimental study of magnetic signals from laserproduced plasmas has been performed. From 2 to 30 joules of laser energy impinged upon metallic and hydrocarbon targets in pulse lengths of from 4 to 80 nanoseconds, ... -
Anode fall as relevant to plasma thrusters.
Horner, Brigitte. (Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School, 1997);The behavior of the electric field together with the electron and ion densities in the vicinity of a non-emitting, plane anode is investigated. The selected approach involves non-linear analysis techniques on the continuum ... -
Anode fall as relevant to plasma thrusters
Horner, Brigitte (Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School, 1997-06);The behavior of the electric field together with the electron and ion densities in the vicinity of a nonemitting, plane anode is investigated. The selected approach involves non-linear analysis techniques on the continuum ...