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Three-Dimensional Helical-Rotating Plasma Structures in Beam-Generated Partially Magnetized Plasmas.
Jian Chen1, Andrew T Powis2, Igor D Kaganovich2
1Sun Yat-sen University, Sino-French Institute of Nuclear Engineering and Technology, Zhuhai 519082, People's Republic of China.
Beam-generated plasmas exhibit distinct azimuthal structures. Simulations reveal two instability regimes dependent on gas pressure, forming spiral or helical patterns with implications for plasma transport.
Area of Science:
- Plasma physics
- Computational physics
Background:
- Azimuthal structures in magnetized plasmas are crucial for understanding plasma behavior and transport.
- Previous studies have explored plasma instabilities, but the transition between different structural regimes based on pressure requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate azimuthal structures in beam-generated partially magnetized plasmas.
- To identify and characterize distinct instability regimes and their dependence on gas pressure.
- To develop analytical models for critical pressure thresholds and helical structure rotation frequencies.
Main Methods:
- Three-dimensional particle-in-cell Monte Carlo collision simulations were employed.
- Simulations analyzed plasma behavior under varying gas pressures.
- Analytical formulas were derived for critical parameters.
Main Results:
- Two distinct instability regimes were identified: a lower-hybrid instability at higher pressures leading to 2D spiral structures and enhanced cross-field transport, and a diocotron instability at lower pressures forming 3D helical-rotating plasma structures.
- A critical threshold pressure separating these regimes was determined.
- Analytical formulas for the critical pressure and helical structure rotation frequency were proposed.
Conclusions:
- The study successfully characterized two distinct azimuthal structure formation regimes in beam-generated plasmas based on gas pressure.
- The findings provide a theoretical framework and analytical tools for understanding and predicting plasma behavior in different pressure regimes.
- Preliminary experimental verification supports the simulation results, paving the way for further experimental validation.

