Turbulence Limits in Rotating Plasmas for Isotope Separation

Z. Naturforsch. 37a, 294-304 (1982); received October 1, 1981 With the aim of using rotating plasmas (driven b y j x B o r E x B forces) for isotope separation, several experimental configurations have been studied and theory has been developed with respect to numerical models, the Alfven ionization limit, D'Angelo's shear instability, while turbulence was suggested qualitatively only. A more detailed study of the limit of laminar flow is presented taking into account the magnetic anisotropy of viscosity and interaction with neutrals. In all cases of experiments, the Reynold's numbers are below critical values of 104 by at least a factor 100. The pessimistic conclusions of Boeschoten for his experiment can therefore not be shared with respect to the turbulence problems. The published cases of isotope separation by rotating plasmas are then discussed extensively.