Abstract
Spontaneous formation of a cylindrical density cavity, or ”plasma hole,” has been observed in a rotating magnetized plasma. Density of the plasma hole is one-tenth of that of ambient plasma and is bounded by a steep transition layer of the order of several ion Larmor radii. The flow velocity field associated with the plasma hole is experimentally determined, exhibiting a monopole vortical structure. It is found that the vorticity distribution is localized near the center of the hole and is identified as a Burgers vortex. This is the first experimental observation of a Burgers vortex in a plasma.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Physical Review Letters |
| Volume | 89 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2002 Jan 1 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physics and Astronomy(all)
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Nagaoka, K., Okamoto, A., Yoshimura, S., Kono, M., & Tanaka, M. Y. (2002). Spontaneous Formation of a Plasma Hole in a Rotating Magnetized Plasma: A Giant Burgers Vortex in a Compressible Fluid. Physical Review Letters, 89(7). https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.89.075001