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The interaction of a moving neutral gas with a stationary magnetized plasma

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 March 2009

J. F. McKenzie
Affiliation:
Max-Planck-Institut für Aeronomie, Katlenburg-Lindau, Germany
R. K. Varma
Affiliation:
Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, 380009India

Extract

In this paper it is shown that a stationary plasma can be accelerated by a moving neutral gas only if the velocity of the neutral gas exceeds Alfvén's critical velocity. An expression for the terminal velocity of the interaction is given which shows that, in the limit of high incoming neutral gas speeds, the composite plasma is accelerated up to one quarter of the gas speed. We also discuss terminal velocities associated with the inverse problem, namely the deceleration of a magnetized plasma as a result of its motion through, and interaction with, a stationary neutral gas.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1981

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References

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