Analytic, quasineutral, two-dimensional Maxwell-Vlasov equilibria

TL;DR

This paper develops analytical methods to construct two-dimensional Maxwell-Vlasov plasma equilibria with finite electric fields and plasma flows, exemplified by a periodic magnetic island structure, advancing understanding of plasma stability.

Contribution

It introduces a novel analytical approach to solve Maxwell-Vlasov equilibria with quasineutrality, including explicit solutions for Harris-type distributions and potential extension to axisymmetric cases.

Findings

Derived explicit solutions for 2D plasma equilibria with finite electric fields.

Presented a periodic 'cat-eyes' magnetic island equilibrium.

Demonstrated the method's potential extension to toroidal geometries.

Abstract

Two-dimensional Maxwell-Vlasov equilibria with finite electric fields, axial ("toroidal") plasma flow and isotropic pressure are constructed in plane geometry by using the quasineutrality condition to express the electrostatic potential in terms of the vector potential. Then for Harris-type distribution functions, Ampere's equation becomes of Liouville type and can be solved analytically. As an example, a periodic "cat-eyes" steady state consisting of a row of magnetic islands is presented. The method can be extended to (toroidal) axisymmetric equilibria.