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Dissipation in high‐temperature plasmas

DEC 01, 1962
H. E. Petschek

Under high temperature plasma conditions, both in the laboratory and in interplanetary space, there is considerable experimental evidence for the existence of turbulence. In both cases, large‐scale fluctuations in the magnetic field have been observed. In the laboratory, fluctuations in other measured quantities are also observed, and, furthermore, the containment times are much shorter than one would expect from considerations based on diffusion across the magnetic field by particle collisions. In order to understand the basic interactions occurring, we must acquire some understanding of plasma turbulence.

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References

  1. 1. Fishman, F. J., Kantrowitz, A. R., and Petschek, H. E., “Magnetohydrodynamic Shock Wave in a Collision‐free Plasma.” Rev. Mod. Phys. 32, 959 (October, 1960).https://doi.org/RMPHAT

  2. 2. Camac, M., Kantrowitz, A. R., Litvak, M. M., Patrick, R. M., Petschek, H. E., “Shock Waves in Collision‐free Plasmas,” Conference Proceedings, Salzburg, September, 1961. Plasma Physics and Controlled Nuclear Fusion Research.

More about the authors

H. E. Petschek, AVCO‐Everett Research Laboratory, Everett, Mass..

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This Content Appeared In
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Volume 15, Number 12

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