Magnetohydrodynamic stability of centrifugally confined plasmas.

Four types of magnetohydrodynamic modes determine the overall stability of centrifugally confined plasmas: flute interchanges and the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability, in a low β system, and the magnetorotational instability (MRI) and the Parker instability, in a high β system. Analytic calculations and numerical simulations of velocity shear stabilization of flute interchanges are reviewed. The results showed strong evidence of stabilization. The Kelvin-Helmholtz instability is ideally stable if the generalized Rayleigh's inflexion criterion is satisfied. The physical mechanisms of both the MRI and the Parker instability are examined and an explanation of why the MRI mechanism is insufficient to destabilize the system while the Parker instability could occur is given. Numerical simulations of the nonlinear behavior of the Parker instability are presented. It is shown that clumping from the Parker instability could reinforce centrifugal confinement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]