Theoretical behavior of fully ionized multiple species magnetized plasmas under rotation
Abstract
A multiple species fluid model for a fully ionized, magnetized plasma under rotation is described. The basic fluid equations are the continuity and momentum equations for each species, including centrifugal, electromagnetic, pressure gradient and collisional forces, in cylindrical geometry. This model is used to describe the steady state behavior of the fully ionized cylindrical plasma column in a laser-initiated vacuum-arc plasma centrifuge. It is shown that there is a family of theoretically possible dynamical equilibrium configurations, which can be achieved by different combinations of ion rotation velocity, radial ion density distribution, and radial dependence of internal electric potential. A numerical analysis is presented which shows the radial distribution and parametric dependences of the various plasma parameters under equilibrium conditions, including the ion separation factor, considering a nickel-copper plasma. The numerical results are analyzed and discussed in light of experimentally measured plasma characteristics in a vacuum-arc plasma centrifuge.
- Publication:
-
Unknown
- Pub Date:
- June 1986
- Bibcode:
- 1986tbfi.rept.....B
- Keywords:
-
- Cylindrical Plasmas;
- Ionization;
- Magnetization;
- Plasma Physics;
- Rotating Plasmas;
- Centrifuging;
- Flow Equations;
- Isotopic Enrichment;
- Plasma Physics