arXiv subjects

Swadesh M. Mahajan

Publications and source records attributed to Swadesh M. Mahajan.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Finite Orbital Angular momentum Bessel beams propagating along light-cone coordinates

New solutions for Bessel electromagnetic beams, propagating along the light cones, are investigated. Of the variety of structures possible in the light cone variables, the one involving a product of Airy functions is discussed in detail. This class of solutions, representing an asymmetry on the light-cone coordinates dependence, is a non-trivial extension to the usual plane wave solutions. We also explore the conditions under which these solutions will carry finite orbital angular momentum density.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2026

A Unified theory of transport barriers (TBs) in magnetically confined systems

A thermodynamic model of a plasma boundary layer, characterized by enhanced temperature contrasts is proposed. The theory is constructed to determine the inner boundary temperature $T_1$ for a specified outer (colder) boundary temperature $T_0$, the heat flux $F$ entering the inner boundary, and the parameters defining the layer. The system shows bifurcation and switches to a stable high gradient state if the heat flux $F$ entering through the inner boundary exceeds a critical value $F_c$. However there is an additional stringent condition for the transition to occur; the edge temperature $T_0$ must exceed a critical value $T_c$- no transition is possible if $T_0<T_c$ even for arbitrary large $F$. Equally important is the finding that $F_c$ is not a monotonic function of $T_0$ but has a minimum at $T_{optimum}$ (= $4T_c$ )in the model calculation. The confinement peaks at $T_{optimum}$. The basic conceptual physics is obviously simple: The high contrast state becomes the preferred state when the incoming power into the layer is preferentially converted into coherent motions like the fluid flows and currents (undermining the standard diffusive processes that keep the lower temperature contrast). The purely macroscopic thermodynamic model bears excellent comparison with experimental and detailed microscopic investigations of the H-mode. Deeper plausibility reasons for the workability of this heat engine, creating the simultaneous existence of an ordered state and large entropy production, are suggested.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2026

Microtearing Thresholds and Second-Stable Ballooning in the DIII-D Pedestal: Reduced Modeling and Core-Edge Implications

Global and local linear gyrokinetic simulations of 42 pedestal equilibria from three DIII-D discharges are used to investigate pedestal stability and its impact on pedestal structure and confinement. Microtearing modes (MTMs) and kinetic ballooning modes (KBMs) represent the main ion scale instabilities. For all three discharges, MTMs lie near a stability boundary in the mid-pedestal and exhibit threshold behavior, with growth rates increasing at and beyond pre-ELM pressure gradients. Pedestal MTMs retain conventional signatures but also show enhanced particle transport and partial density-gradient drive, indicating they can constrain pedestal {\it pressure} rather than electron temperature alone. KBMs are typically second-stable in this region due to low magnetic shear and large pressure gradients, though they can become active near the pedestal foot where magnetic shear is higher. These findings suggest MTMs play the role of inter-ELM pressure limit in the mid-pedestal when KBM is second stable. A preliminary quasilinear mixing-length transport model, with properly tuned free parameters, reproduces experimental temperature and density profiles when coupled to ASTRA. When applied to a case with doubled separatrix density, the model predicts reduced pedestal pressure consistent with ITPA H-mode confinement trends, attributable to increased MTM and ETG transport. These results clarify pedestal-limiting mechanisms and establish a physics-based link between separatrix conditions, pedestal structure, and global confinement. This work lays the foundation for new predictive modeling capabilities for core-edge integration in burning plasma regimes.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2026

Nonlinear Frequency Shifts due to Phase Coherent Interactions in Incompressible Hall MHD Turbulence

Turbulence in the magnetized plasma is well understood to be the consequence of wave interactions. When the Hall effect is added to the minimum magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), the MHD waves become dispersive and different nonlinear interactions are expected. The emergent turbulent state will thus be expected to be different. For incompressible Hall MHD we develop a reduced model for wave-wave interactions concentrating on those processes that will lead to phase coherent modifications to the linear dispersion of a given wave. We show that these special interactions provide an amplitude-dependent contribution to the linear dispersion relation, which yields nonlinear frequency shifts. The resonance-driven frequency shifts are dominant and add damping or growth to the linear dispersion. The damping/growth rates represent the nonlinear time scales for energy redistribution and can be used in conjunction with a conjecture like the "critical balance" to estimate the energy spectral content.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2026

Electromagnetic plasma wave modes propagating along light-cone coordinates

We present new electromagnetic plasma wavepacket solutions that propagates in one time and one space coordinates. Differently to the usual plane wave solution, which is written in terms of separation of variables, all our solutions are along the light-cone coordinates. This allow us to find several new solutions whose functionality properties rely on the conditions imposed on the choice for their light-cone coordinates dependence. The presented wavepacket solutions are constructed in terms of multiplications of Airy functions, Parabolic cylinder functions, Mathieu functions, or Bessel functions. We thoroughly analyze the case of a double Airy solution, which have new electromagnetic properties, as a defined wavefront, and velocity faster than the electromagnetic plane wave counterpart solution. It is also mentioned how more general structured wavepackets can be constructed from these new solutions.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2025

Gyrokinetic Simulations of a Low Recycling Scrape-off Layer without a Lithium Target

Low-recycling regimes are appealing because they entail a high edge temperature and low edge density which are good for core confinement. However, due to considerably enhanced heat flux, the exhaust problems become severe. In addition, in the low-recycling regime, the conventional fluid simulations may not capture the physics of the Scrape-Off Layer (SOL) plasma that lies in the long mean free path regime; kinetic calculations become necessary. In this paper, by performing both Kinetic and fluid simulations, we explore the feasibility of a low-recycling regime in the magnetic geometry of the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP); kinetic effects come out to be crucial determinants of the SOL dynamics. The simulation results indicate that a high SOL temperature and low SOL density could be achieved even when the divertor target is not made of a low recycling material. This can be done by using a low recycling material as a wall material. This is an important step towards demonstrating the feasibility of a low-recycling scenario. Lithium, a commonly used low recycling material, tends to evaporate at high heat fluxes which counteracts the desired high temperature, low density regime, and materials that can handle high heat fluxes are generally high recycling. Comparisons of gyrokinetic and fluid simulation results indicate that one can take advantage of kinetic effects to address some of the issues associated with a low-recycling SOL. Specifically, kinetic simulations show better confinement of impurities to the divertor region and greater broadening of the heat flux width due to drifts when compared with fluid simulations. Impurity confinement would help prevent core contamination from sputtering, and a broader heat flux width would help reduce the peak heat load at the target in the absence of detachment.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2025

Dark energy as a battery for magnetic field generation in plasmas

It is shown that in the spacetime dominated by a cosmological constant, in the far region of a Schwarzschild-de Sitter black hole, a seed magnetic field can be generated in an ambient plasma (in a state of no magnetic field) by a general-relativistic battery, which depends on the interaction of spacetime curvature with inhomogeneous plasma thermodynamics. Thus, at large distances, dark energy becomes the only gravitational source for magnetic field generation. This allows a mechanism that make dark energy manifest through its conversion to cosmic magnetic fields.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2024

Hall MHD waves: A fundamental departure from their MHD counterparts

It is demonstrated through a succinct derivation as to how the linear waves in Hall magnetohydrodynamics (HMHD) constitute a fundamental departure from the standard MHD waves. Apart from modifying the conventional MHD spectrum, the Hall current induces a distinct and new branch consisting of purely circularly polarized waves that may become the representative shear waves.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2024

Upshifted frequency of electromagnetic plasma waves due to reflecting gravitational waves acting as almost-luminal mirrors

We show that dispersive gravitational waves, as a background spacetime, can reflect electromagnetic waves in a plasma. This reflection upshifts the frequency of the reflected wave, being larger for low-frequency incident waves. This effect takes place when the gravitational wave background propagates almost at the speed of light, allowing it to behave similar to a luminal mirror to electromagnetic plasma waves.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2023

Transport Barriers in Magnetized Plasmas -- General Theory with Dynamical Constraints

A fundamental dynamical constraint -- that fluctuation induced charge-weighted particle flux must vanish -- can prevent instabilities from accessing the free energy in the strong gradients characteristic of Transport Barriers (TBs). Density gradients, when larger than a certain threshold, lead to a violation of the constraint and emerge as a stabilizing force. This mechanism, then, broadens the class of configurations (in magnetized plasmas) where these high confinement states can be formed and sustained. The need for velocity shear, the conventional agent for TB formation, is obviated. The most important ramifications of the constraint is to permit a charting out of the domains conducive to TB formation and hence to optimally confined fusion worthy states; the detailed investigation is conducted through new analytic methods and extensive gyrokinetic simulations.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2023

Radio pulsars resonantly accelerating electrons

Based on the recently demonstrated resonant wave-wave process, it is shown that electrons can be accelerated to ultra-relativistic energies in the magnetospheres of radio pulsars. The energization occurs via the resonant interaction of the electron wave (described by a Klein-Gordon (KG) equation) moving in unison with an intense electromagnetic (EM) wave; the KG wave/particle continuously draws energy from EM. In a brief recapitulation of the general theory, the high energy (resonantly enhanced) electron states are investigated by solving the KG equation, minimally coupled to the EM field. The restricted class of solutions, that propagate in phase with EM radiation (functions only of $ζ=ωt-kz$), are explored to serve as a possible basis for the proposed electron energization in the radio pulsars. We show that the wave-wave resonant energization mechanism could be operative in a broad class of radio pulsars with periods ranging from milliseconds to the normal values ($\sim 1$ sec); it could drive the magnetospheric electrons to acquire energies from $100$s of TeVs (millisecond pulsars) to $10$ ZeVs (normal pulsars).

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2023

Excitation Properties of Photopigments and Their Possible Dependence on the Host Star

Photosynthesis is a plausible pathway for the sustenance of a substantial biosphere on an exoplanet. In fact, it is also anticipated to create distinctive biosignatures detectable by next-generation telescopes. In this work, we explore the excitation features of photopigments that harvest electromagnetic radiation by constructing a simple quantum-mechanical model. Our analysis suggests that the primary Earth-based photopigments for photosynthesis may not function efficiently at wavelengths $> 1.1$ $μ$m. In the context of (hypothetical) extrasolar photopigments, we calculate the potential number of conjugated $π$-electrons ($N_\star$) in the relevant molecules, which can participate in the absorption of photons. By hypothesizing that the absorption maxima of photopigments are close to the peak spectral photon flux of the host star, we utilize the model to estimate $N_\star$. As per our formalism, $N_\star$ is modulated by the stellar temperature, and is conceivably higher (lower) for planets orbiting stars cooler (hotter) than the sun; exoplanets around late-type M-dwarfs might require an $N_\star$ twice that of the Earth. We conclude the analysis with a brief exposition of how our model could be empirically tested by future observations.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2023

A Bayesian Analysis of Technological Intelligence in Land and Oceans

Current research indicates that (sub)surface ocean worlds essentially devoid of subaerial landmasses (e.g., continents) are common in the Milky Way, and that these worlds could host habitable conditions, thence raising the possibility that life and technological intelligence (TI) may arise in such aquatic settings. It is known, however, that TI on Earth (i.e., humans) arose on land. Motivated by these considerations, we present a Bayesian framework to assess the prospects for the emergence of TIs in land- and ocean-based habitats (LBHs and OBHs). If all factors are equally conducive for TIs to arise in LBHs and OBHs, we demonstrate that the evolution of TIs in LBHs (which includes humans) might have very low odds of roughly $1$-in-$10^3$ to $1$-in-$10^4$, thus outwardly contradicting the Copernican Principle. Hence, we elucidate three avenues whereby the Copernican Principle can be preserved: (i) the emergence rate of TIs is much lower in OBHs, (ii) the habitability interval for TIs is much shorter in OBHs, and (iii) only a small fraction of worlds with OBHs comprise appropriate conditions for effectuating TIs. We also briefly discuss methods for empirically falsifying our predictions, and comment on the feasibility of supporting TIs in aerial environments.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2022

Parametric amplification of electromagnetic plasma waves in resonance with a dispersive background gravitational wave

It is shown that a sub-luminal electromagnetic plasma wave, propagating in phase with a background sub-luminal gravitational wave in a dispersive medium, can undergo parametric amplification. For this phenomena to occur, the dispersive characteristics of the two waves must properly match. The response frequencies of the two waves (medium dependent) must lie within a definite and restrictive range. The combined dynamics is represented by a Whitaker-Hill equation, the quintessential model for parametric instabilities. The exponential growth of the electromagnetic wave is displayed at the resonance; the plasma wave grows at the expense of the background gravitational wave. Different physical scenarios, where the phenomenon can be possible, are discussed.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2022

Reduced models for ETG transport in the pedestal

This paper reports on the development of reduced models for electron temperature gradient (ETG) driven transport in the pedestal. Model development is enabled by a set of 61 nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations with input parameters taken from the pedestals in a broad range of experimental scenarios. The simulation data has been consolidated in a new database for gyrokinetic simulation data, the Multiscale Gyrokinetic Database (MGKDB), facilitating the analysis. The modeling approach may be considered a generalization of the standard quasilinear mixing length procedure. The parameter eta, the ratio of the density to temperature gradient scale length, emerges as the key parameter for formulating an effective saturation rule. With a single order-unity fitting coefficient, the model achieves an RMS error of 15%. A similar model for ETG particle flux is also described. We also present simple algebraic expressions for the transport informed by an algorithm for symbolic regression.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2021

A new and alternative look at NonLinear Alfvénic States

A new formalism for the nonlinear Alfvénic states sustainable in Hall Magnetohydrodynamics is developed in a complete basis provided by the circularly polarized Beltrami Vectors, the eigenstates of linear HMHD. Nonlinear HMHD is, then, reduced to a rather simple looking set of scalar equations from which a model problem of three interacting Beltrami modes is formulated and analytically solved. The triplet interactions span a variety of familiar nonlinear processes leading to a redistribution as well as periodic exchange of energy. The energy exchange processes (whose strength is measured by an energy exchange /depletion time) will, perhaps, play a dominant role in determining the spectral content of an eventual Alfvénic state. All nonlinearities (sensitive functions of the interacting wave vectors) operate at par, and none is dominant over any substantial region of k-space; their intricate interplay prevents a "universal" picture from emerging; few generalizations on the processes that may, for instance, lead to a turbulent state, are possible. However, the theory can definitely claim: 1) the energy tends to flow from lower to higher $k$, and 2) the higher $k_z$ (in the direction of the ambient magnetic field) components of a mode with a given $k$ are depleted/oscillate faster -in some cases much faster. It is noteworthy that the mode coupling is the strongest (with the shortest depletion time) when the participating wave vectors are nearly perpendicular; perhaps, an expected consequence of the curl (cross product) nonlinearities. Numerical simulations will be necessary to help create a fully reliable picture.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2020

Constraining Alfvénic Turbulence with Helicity Invariants

In this paper, we study the constraints imposed by the invariants (generalized helicities and energy) of extended magnetohydrodynamics on some global characteristics of turbulence. We show that the global turbulent kinetic and magnetic energies will approach equipartition only under certain circumstances that depend on the ratio of the generalized helicities. In systems with minimal thermal energy, we demonstrate that the three invariants collectively determine the characteristic length scale associated with Alfvénic turbulence.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2019

Resonant Energization of Relativistic particles by an Intense Electromagnetic Wave

The phenomenon of resonant energization of a relativistic quantum particle, moving in unison with an intense ElectroMagnetic Wave, is demonstrated in a semiclassical calculation. The wave nature of the quantum particle is of essence because the resonant process originates in wave-wave interaction-between the classical EM wave, and the quantum wave associated with the particle. When the energy /momentum of the quantum wave satisfy the resonance condition (the effective phase speeds of the two waves are equal), the particle, drawing energy directly from the intense EM field, could acquire extremely high energies Such a direct resonant energy transfer from intense Electromagnetic waves will constitute a hitherto unexploited mechanism that could power the most energetic of cosmic rays. Some predictions of the theory will, hopefully, be tested in the laboratory Laser experiments.

astro-ph.HE↗