Some instabilities of a completely ionized plasma

TLDR

The study investigates the stability of two equilibrium configurations of a highly conducting plasma. The authors examine two configurations: one where a horizontal magnetic field supports the plasma against gravity, and another where a toroidal magnetic field generated by an internal current confines the plasma in a cylinder. Both equilibria are found unstable, with the first resembling a heavy fluid over a light one and the second exhibiting lateral distortions.

Abstract

Two cases of equilibrium for a highly conducting plasma are investigated for their stability. In the first case, a plasma is supported against gravity by the pressure of a horizontal magnetic field. This equilibrium is found unstable, in close correspondence to the classical case of a heavy fluid supported by a light one. The second case refers to the so-called pinch effect. Here a plasma is kept within a cylinder by the pressure of a toroidal magnetic field which in turn is caused by an electric current within the plasma. This equilibrium is found unstable against lateral distortions.