Abstract
On the basis of the first integrals of motion for a collisionless rarefied (low β) plasma confined by a magnetic mirror field, the author evolves the equilibrium particle distribution function (stationary solution of Vlasov's equation) paying due respect to the plasma space-charge electric field and an external axially symmetric electric field. The macroscopic quantities (densities of particles, charge, and current, pressure tensor and mean kinetic energy) and the plasma boundaries are then derived from the distribution function. The computation of the electric potential and the conditions for plasma neutrality are discussed in detail. It is shown that plasma confined within a finite space can possess a charge density identically equal to zero (and hence also a zero plasma electric field) within the entire space only under definite assumptions as regards the distribution function of particles in the space of the integrals of motion with relation m+W+ = m-W- (where m are the particle masses) applying between the mean kinetic energies W+ (energy per particle) of positive ions and electrons W-; as a result of the large difference in the masses of positive ions and electrons, this is manifested by hot electrons and cold ions.
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