Synchronization theory of microwave induced zero-resistance states

We develop the synchronization theory of microwave induced zero-resistance states (ZRS) for two-dimensional electron gas in a magnetic field. In this theory the dissipative effects lead to synchronization of cyclotron phase with driving microwave phase at certain resonant ratios between microwave and cyclotron frequencies. This synchronization produces stabilization of electron transport along edge channels and at the same time it gives suppression of dissipative scattering on local impurities and dissipative conductivity in the bulk, thus creating the ZRS phases at that frequency ratios. The electron dynamics along edge and around circular disk impurity is well described by the Chirikov standard map. The theoretical analysis is based on extensive numerical simulations of classical electron transport in a strongly nonlinear regime. We also discuss the value of activation energy obtained in our model and the experimental signatures that could establish the synchronization origin of ZRS.Comment: revtex, 15 pages, 17 fig

Contributions of plasma physics to chaos and nonlinear dynamics

This topical review focusses on the contributions of plasma physics to chaos and nonlinear dynamics bringing new methods which are or can be used in other scientific domains. It starts with the development of the theory of Hamiltonian chaos, and then deals with order or quasi order, for instance adiabatic and soliton theories. It ends with a shorter account of dissipative and high dimensional Hamiltonian dynamics, and of quantum chaos. Most of these contributions are a spin-off of the research on thermonuclear fusion by magnetic confinement, which started in the fifties. Their presentation is both exhaustive and compact. [15 April 2016

Two-dimensional turbulence in magnetised plasmas

In an inhomogeneous magnetised plasma the transport of energy and particles perpendicular to the magnetic field is in general mainly caused by quasi two-dimensional turbulent fluid mixing. The physics of turbulence and structure formation is of ubiquitous importance to every magnetically confined laboratory plasma for experimental or industrial application. Specifically, high temperature plasmas for fusion energy research are also dominated by the properties of this turbulent transport. Self-organisation of turbulent vortices to mesoscopic structures like zonal flows is related to the formation of transport barriers that can significantly enhance the confinement of a fusion plasma. This subject of great importance in research is rarely touched on in introductory plasma physics or continuum dynamics courses. Here a brief tutorial on 2D fluid and plasma turbulence is presented as an introduction to the field, appropriate for inclusion in undergraduate and graduate courses.Comment: This is an author-created, un-copyedited version of an article published in European Journal of Physics. IOP Publishing Ltd is not responsible for any errors or omissions in this version of the manuscript or any version derived from it. The definitive publisher authenticated version is available online at doi: 10.1088/0143-0807/29/5/00