Using variational methods on a known magnetic field exhibiting chaos the student will develop optimal curvilinear coordinates for plasma equilibrium studies

Using computational and analytical methods the student will investigate the wake of a supersonic charged particle moving through a plasma

To explore the equilibrium and stability of multiple region partially-relaxed MRXMHD plasmas in helical geometry.

Using asymptotic expansion theory the student will develop a formula for the nonlinear frequency shift of a plasma wave up to terms in the square of the amplitude

The student will extend a recently developed variational principle for finding relaxed equilibrium states of a plasma to the calculation of tearing modes