DRIFT-BALLOONING MODES IN THE PRESENCE OF CHARGED DUST IMPURITIES IN A NONUNIFORM ROTATING MAGNETOPLASMA

The linear and nonlinear properties of drift-ballooning modes in the p resence of an equilibrium electric field and stationary charged dust g rains are examined. It is found that the presence of these two contrib ute to the stability of the ballooning mode. Furthermore, the nonlinea r coupling between finite amplitude drift-ballooning modes gives rise to different types of coherent vortex structures, which can affect the :transport properties of an inhomogeneous magnetized plasma. The relev ance of the investigation to laboratory and astrophysical plasmas is d iscussed. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics.