Plasma Diffusion in a Magnetic Field

Abstract

The equations governing the diffusion of a fully ionized plasma across a magnetic field are derived. It is assumed that macroscopic quantities vary slowly across an ion radius of gyration, and that the interparticle collision frequency is much less than the gyration frequency. The relevant transport coefficients—electrical resistivity, thermal conductivity, and thermoelectric coefficient—are derived. Some similarity solutions of the equations are found.