Abstract
Gross plasma stability can derive from plasma compressibility in the bad curvature regions of closed field line systems. In this situation magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) theory predicts that the maximum pressure gradient that is stable is proportional to γ, the ratio of specific heats. This article will examine the accuracy of the MHD prediction for electrostatic interchange modes using kinetic theory. The maximum sustainable pressure gradient is found to be dependent on the ratio of the temperature and density gradients (η≡(n/T)(∇T/∇n)) as well as on the ion gyro-radius scale length. For η=2/3 the MHD stability condition is reproduced. When η deviates from 2/3 the mode changes character and the stability criterion becomes more stringent.
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