A comparison of MHD and guiding center plasma models

Abstract

Computations are presented which allow a comparison of the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) and guiding center plasma (GCP) models of infinite homogeneous and straight cylindrically symmetric inhomogeneous plasma configurations. Specifically, calculations of wave propagation characteristics, instability growth rates and resonant absorption of RF Alfven wave energy are presented for both low and high- beta plasmas. Results show that similar low- beta , long wavelength behaviour is obtained in the MHD and GCP models. However, quantitatively different results are found for high- beta and short wavelength conditions.