High-intensity point perturbation in a two-temperature MHD plasma

The development of a nonuniformity initiated by a very localized production of a highly ionized spark in a uniform MHD plasma is studied. The effect of an initial point perturbation on the plasma behavior is examined. The equations (which include Ohm's law, the unsteady electron energy equation, the kinetic equations for the production of seed and argon ions, and the conservation of charges equations) for modeling the evolution of the current and hot plasma after the initial spark are presented. It is observed that the Faraday current density in the hot spot region after 0.33 microsec is 15 times larger than in the initial uniform plasma; the Hall current density inside the hot spot is 2.5 times the unperturbed current density; and the spark becomes elongated and tilted relative to the Faraday direction. Based on these data, it is noted that the externally induced spark should decelerate faster than the surrounding plasma, and nonuniformity caused by the hot spot affects the generator output.