Self-consistent approach to anomalous resistivity applied to theta pinch experiments

Abstract

A theoretical model of magnetic pulse propagation in collisionless plasmas is derived starting from the Vlasov equation. The model consists of a set of fluid equations which include the effects of turbulence self-consistently through anomalous transport terms which evolve in space and time as instabilities develop and as the macroscopic plasma parameters change. Results from numerical integration of these equations explain most of the phenomena of a theta pinch experiment with no initial magnetic field and with small pulsed fields. There was similar agreement with the gross penetration times and effects of changing density in theta pinch experiments with initial bias fields and large pulsed fields. Probable causes of the remaining differences are discussed.