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Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

cold non-neutral plasma modes, finite difference schemes, non-orthogonal coordinate system

College

Physical and Mathematical Sciences

Department

Physics and Astronomy

Abstract

A plasma is a gaseous collection of charged particles. Although the particles move relatively independently, their interactions with each other as well as with externally applied fields result in collective behavior such as waves and turbulence. The complexity of this behavior has been one of the biggest obstacles in the development of nuclear fusion as an alternative power source as scientists have tried to understand and control the plasmas formed in fusion experiments. One of the characteristics of plasma behavior is the existence of normal modes. Just as different harmonics on a vibrating string can combine to form complex wave patterns, plasma states can be described as combinations of normal modes, with each mode possessing a specific frequency of vibration. In order to gain a more fundamental understanding of these modes and plasma behavior in general, it is helpful to look at the simple case of a cold, non-neutral plasma rather than more complicated hot plasmas containing ions, electrons, and neutral particles.

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