The Kubo conductivity tensor for 2- and 3-dimensional magnetic nulls

• Author / Creator

  St-Onge, Denis

• The complete set of Kubo conductivity tensors are computed for two- and three-dimensional linear magnetic null systems using collisionless single-particle simulations. Chaos regions are constructed for each case, along with the complete Lyapunov spectrum. It is found that stochastic frequency mixing of particle bounce motion, as well as gyromotion, contribute significantly to the conductivity. For many cases, the conductivity curve is well approximated by power-laws, resulting in a divergent value of the direct-current conductivity, while others can be described by a sum of Maxwellian curves. The energy dissipation of these systems is also briefly discussed.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Plasma physics
  • Computer simulations
  • Conductivity
  • Reconnection
  • Magnetic nulls

• Graduation date

  Spring 2011

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3D344

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.