The Electromagnetic Field in Plasma Systems
Abstract
Thermodynamic energy conversion in a plasma stream, flowing across a magnetic field, is studied. Due to the unique combination of compressibility with electrical conductivity, the expansion work of the plasma stream is converted directly into electromagnetic energy. Consideration of electromagnetic phenomena, according to Poynting's theorem, as energy transport processes revealed that the new electromagnetic energy source can maintain a steady electric vortex in the system at rest relative to the magnetic field, which is constant in time. Thus, Maxwell's equations of the electromagnetic field have an additional term in plasma systems. This unexpected result may well be the key to the development of fusion power.
- Publication:
-
Journal of Funsion Energy
- Pub Date:
- December 2000
- DOI:
- 10.1023/A:1015234802654
- Bibcode:
- 2000JFuE...19..303K
- Keywords:
-
- Expansion work;
- plasma;
- vorticity;
- electric field