Stabilization of magnetic curvature-driven Rayleigh–Taylor instabilities

Abstract

AbstractThe finite ion Larmor radius (FLR) stabilization of the magnetic curvature-driven Rayleigh–Taylor (MCD RT) instability in a low beta plasma with nonzero ion temperature gradient is investigated. Finite electron temperature effects and ion temperature perturbations are incorporated. A new set of nonlinear equations for flute waves with arbitrary wavelengths as compared with the ion Larmor radius in a plasma with curved magnetic field lines is derived. Particular attention is paid to the waves with spatial scales of the order of the ion Larmor radius. In the linear limit, a Fourier transform of these equations yields an improved dispersion relation for flute waves. The dependence of the MCD RT instability growth rate on the equilibrium plasma parameters and the wavelengths is studied. The condition for which the instability cannot be stabilized by the FLR effects is found.