Control of Gradient-Driven Instabilities Using Shear Alfvén Beat Waves

D. W. Auerbach, T. A. Carter, S. Vincena, and P. Popovich
Phys. Rev. Lett. 105, 135005 – Published 24 September 2010

Abstract

A new technique for manipulation and control of gradient-driven instabilities through nonlinear interaction with Alfvén waves in a laboratory plasma is presented. A narrow, field-aligned density depletion is created in the Large Plasma Device, resulting in coherent, unstable fluctuations on the periphery of the depletion. Two independent shear Alfvén waves are launched along the depletion at separate frequencies, creating a nonlinear beat-wave response at or near the frequency of the original instability. When the beat wave has sufficient amplitude, the original unstable mode is suppressed, leaving only the beat-wave response, generally at lower amplitude.

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  • Received 3 May 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.105.135005

© 2010 The American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

D. W. Auerbach, T. A. Carter, S. Vincena, and P. Popovich

  • Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095-1547, USA

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Issue

Vol. 105, Iss. 13 — 24 September 2010

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