EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Huba 1996
Huba, J.D. (1996). The Kelvin-Helmholtz instability: Finite Larmor radius magnetohydrodynamics. Geophysical Research Letters 23: doi: 10.1029/96GL02767. issn: 0094-8276.

A preliminary theoretical and computational study of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability in an inhomogeneous plasma is presented using finite Larmor radius magnetohydrodynamic (FLR MHD) theory. We show that FLR effects (1) can increase or decrease the linear growth rate, (2) cause the nonlinear evolution to be asymmetric, and (3) allow plasma 'blobs' to detach from the boundary layer. The asymmetric growth and nonlinear evolution depend on the sign of B&OHgr; where B is the magnetic field and &OHgr;=∇¿V is the vorticity. The simulation results are qualitatively consistent with the hybrid simulations of Thomas and Winske (1991, 1993) and Thomas (1995). These results suggest that FLR MHD can capture important physical processes on length scales approaching the ion Larmor radius. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1996

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Magnetospheric Physics, MHD waves and instabilities, Space Plasma Physics, Numerical simulation studies, Space Plasma Physics, Waves and instabilities, Planetology, Comets and Small Bodies, Plasma and MHD instabilities
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit