Investigation of the nonlinear behavior of a weakly-ionized plasma

Author

Scott Allen Stafford

Date of Award

5-1989

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Electrical Engineering

Major Professor

J. Reece Roth

Committee Members

Mark Kot, Igor Alexeff

Abstract

The nonlinear behavior of plasmas has been studied by conventional time series methods for many years. Since the advent of the concept of chaotic dynamics in the early 1960's, many new theoretical approaches to turbulence have been developed. In the past ten years these methods have been applied to plasma fluctuations. In the last two or three years, commercial computer software has become available which allows the ready application of a wide range of analytical methods from nonlinear dynamics to laboratory plasmas. Most applications thus far have been to pulsed or unmagnetized plasmas. This report will describe the application of chaos theory to a steady-state, magnetized plasma.

Recommended Citation

Stafford, Scott Allen, "Investigation of the nonlinear behavior of a weakly-ionized plasma. " Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 1989.
https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/13085