Temperature and stability properties of a radially constricted steady-state plasma between electrodes

Abstract

The above subject is discussed in four chapters through this thesis . The first chapter bears on charged particle orbit theory and a simple case of plasma instability , while the second and third chapters are concerned with the flows of heat and electricity in a centrally- constricted plasma geometry under assumed steady-state conditions. In the fourth chapter a sufficient stability criterion is derived for this particular plasma configuration. A table of contents, giving the section titles within each chapter and the corresponding page numbers, is included for ease of reference. To facilitate cross referencing, combined chapter and section numbers are included at the top left-hand side of each page. Specific references given in the text correspond to alphabetical reference lists provided at the close of each chapter. The fourth chapter is followed by a review of topics covered in the thesis, and some remarks on possible future experimental and theoretical studies . Additional references, relevant to the research undertaken, appear at the end of the thesis. A detailed summary of the work covered now follows.