Physics and Astronomy Colloquium - Dr. Matt Landreman - University of Maryland

Title: "Breaking Axisymmetry in Magnetized Plasmas"

March 4, 2016
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Location
Wilder 104
Sponsored by
Physics & Astronomy Department
Audience
Public
More information
Tressena Manning
603-646-2854

Abstract: Symmetry is important in many areas of physics, and plasma physics is one such area. For instance, the trajectories of charged particles in a plasma are fundamentally different in axisymmetric versus nonaxisymmetric magnetic fields - meaning fields with or without continuous rotational symmetry - due to the constraint of canonical angular momentum conservation implied by the symmetry. Magnetic fields can possess a hidden “quasi-symmetry” in which particle trajectories resemble those in a symmetric field, even though the field appears highly asymmetric in Cartesian coordinates. Symmetry-breaking in plasmas has many consequences, such as causing high-Z elements to be drawn into toroidal plasmas. Understanding of asymmetry is important for both laboratory and space plasma physics, as even nominally axisymmetric plasmas inevitably have departures from perfect axisymmetry.

Location
Wilder 104
Sponsored by
Physics & Astronomy Department
Audience
Public
More information
Tressena Manning
603-646-2854