Fluid description of Weibel-type instabilities via full pressure tensor dynamics. (14th September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sarrat, M.; Del Sarto, D.; Ghizzo, A.
• Is Part Of: Europhysics letters. Volume 115:Number 4(2016:Aug.)
• Publication Date: 2016-09-14
• Subjects: 52.35.Qz -- 52.25.Dg -- 52.65.Kj; Physics -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 530.05
• DOI: 10.1209/0295-5075/115/45001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0295-5075

Abstract

Abstract: We discuss a fluid model for the description of Weibel-type instabilties based on the inclusion of the full pressure tensor dynamics. The linear analysis first performed by Basu B., Phys. Plasmas, 9, (2002) 5131, for the strong anisotropy limit of Weibel's instability is extended to include the coupling between pure Weibel's and current filamentation instability, and the potential of this fluid approach is further developed. It is shown to allow an easier interpretation of some physical features of these coupled modes, notably the role played by thermal effects. It can be used to identify the role of different closure conditions in pressure-driven instabilities which can be numerically investigated at a remarkably lower computational cost than with kinetic simulations.