Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rdxmf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-26T00:38:48.482Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Numerical simulation of the excitation and evolution of high-azimuthal-mode-number coherent vortices in hollow magnetized electron columns

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 July 2001

R. MARCHAND
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2J1
M. SHOUCRI
Affiliation:
Centre Canadien de Fusion Magnétique, Varennes, Quebec, Canada J3X 1S1

Abstract

A finite-element code is used to study the excitation of a perturbation with a range of azimuthal mode numbers in hollow magnetized plasma columns, and the subsequent nonlinear development and evolution of coherent vortices interacting to coalesce, while cascading to a lower azimuthal mode number. It is shown that, even for initially higher azimuthal mode numbers, the angular momentum remains a slowly varying ideal invariant, while the system cascades to lower azimuthal mode numbers. A detailed study of the evolution is presented for initially excited m = 3, m = 4, and m = 5 azimuthal modes, which underlines the physics of the inverse cascade of angular momentum.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
2001 Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)