666 research outputs found
Variational approach to low-frequency kinetic-MHD in the current coupling scheme
Hybrid kinetic-MHD models describe the interaction of an MHD bulk fluid with
an ensemble of hot particles, which is described by a kinetic equation. When
the Vlasov description is adopted for the energetic particles, different
Vlasov-MHD models have been shown to lack an exact energy balance, which was
recently recovered by the introduction of non-inertial force terms in the
kinetic equation. These force terms arise from fundamental approaches based on
Hamiltonian and variational methods. In this work we apply Hamilton's
variational principle to formulate new current-coupling kinetic-MHD models in
the low-frequency approximation (i.e. large Larmor frequency limit). More
particularly, we formulate current-coupling hybrid schemes, in which energetic
particle dynamics are expressed in either guiding-center or gyrocenter
coordinates.Comment: v3.0. 30 page
Automation of The Guiding Center Expansion
We report on the use of the recently-developed Mathematica package
\emph{VEST} (Vector Einstein Summation Tools) to automatically derive the
guiding center transformation. Our Mathematica code employs a recursive
procedure to derive the transformation order-by-order. This procedure has
several novel features. (1) It is designed to allow the user to easily explore
the guiding center transformation's numerous non-unique forms or
representations. (2) The procedure proceeds entirely in cartesian position and
velocity coordinates, thereby producing manifestly gyrogauge invariant results;
the commonly-used perpendicular unit vector fields are never even
introduced. (3) It is easy to apply in the derivation of higher-order
contributions to the guiding center transformation without fear of human error.
Our code therefore stands as a useful tool for exploring subtle issues related
to the physics of toroidal momentum conservation in tokamaks.Comment: 34 page
Cargo Logistics Airlift Systems Study (CLASS). Volume 2: Case study approach and results
Models of transportation mode decision making were developed. The user's view of the present and future air cargo systems is discussed. Issues summarized include: (1) organization of the distribution function; (2) mode choice decision making; (3) air freight system; and (4) the future of air freight
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