Two-dimensional boundary-value problem for ion-ion diffusion

Abstract

Like-particle diffusion is usually negligible compared with unlike-particle diffusion because it is two orders higher in spatial derivatives. When the ratio of the ion gyroradius to the plasma transverse dimension is of the order of the fourth root of the mass ratio, previous one-dimensional analysis indicated that like-particle diffusion is significant. A two-dimensional boundary-value problem for ion-ion diffusion is investigated. Numerical solutions are found with models for which the nonlinear partial differential equation reduces to an ordinary fourth-order differential equation. These solutions indicate that the ion-ion losses are higher by a factor of six for a slab geometry, and by a factor of four for circular geometry, than estimated from dimensional analysis. The solutions are applied to a multiple mirror experiment stabilized with a quadrupole magnetic field which generates highly elliptical flux surfaces. It is found that the ion-ion losses dominate the electron-ion losses and that these classical radial losses contribute to a significant decrease of plasma lifetime, in qualitiative agreement with the experimental results.