Characterization of quasi-Keplerian, differentially rotating, free-boundary laboratory plasmas
File(s)Valenzuela-Villaseca_PRL_2023.pdf (2.28 MB)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
We present results from pulsed-power driven differentially rotating plasma experiments designed to
simulate physics relevant to astrophysical disks and jets. In these experiments, angular momentum is injected
by the ram pressure of the ablation flows from a wire array Z pinch. In contrast to previous liquid metal and
plasma experiments, rotation is not driven by boundary forces. Axial pressure gradients launch a rotating
plasma jet upward, which is confined by a combination of ram, thermal, and magnetic pressure of a
surrounding plasma halo. The jet has subsonic rotation, with a maximum rotation velocity 23 3 km=s. The
rotational velocity profile is quasi-Keplerian with a positive Rayleigh discriminant κ2 ∝ r−2.8 0.8 rad2=s2.
The plasma completes 0.5–2 full rotations in the experimental time frame (∼150 ns).
simulate physics relevant to astrophysical disks and jets. In these experiments, angular momentum is injected
by the ram pressure of the ablation flows from a wire array Z pinch. In contrast to previous liquid metal and
plasma experiments, rotation is not driven by boundary forces. Axial pressure gradients launch a rotating
plasma jet upward, which is confined by a combination of ram, thermal, and magnetic pressure of a
surrounding plasma halo. The jet has subsonic rotation, with a maximum rotation velocity 23 3 km=s. The
rotational velocity profile is quasi-Keplerian with a positive Rayleigh discriminant κ2 ∝ r−2.8 0.8 rad2=s2.
The plasma completes 0.5–2 full rotations in the experimental time frame (∼150 ns).
Date Issued
2023-05-12
Date Acceptance
2023-03-29
Citation
Physical Review Letters, 2023, 130 (19)
ISSN
0031-9007
Publisher
American Physical Society
Journal / Book Title
Physical Review Letters
Volume
130
Issue
19
Copyright Statement
Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article’s title, journal citation, and DOI.
License URL
Identifier
https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000996379400003&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=a2bf6146997ec60c407a63945d4e92bb
Subjects
DISKS
MAGNETOROTATIONAL INSTABILITY
Physical Sciences
Physics
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Science & Technology
STABILITY
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ARTN 195101
Date Publish Online
2023-05-12