Steady-state vortex structure in a plasma with a strong magnetic field

A study is made of nonquasineutral vortex structures in a plasma with a mag netic field B-z in which the charges separate on a spatial scale equal to t he magnetic Debye radius r(B)=B-z/4 pi en(e). The electric field arising du e to charge separation leads to radial expansion of the ions, thereby destr oying the initial electron vortex. It is shown that the ion pressure gradie nt stops ion expansion in a nonquasineutral electron vortex and gives rise to a steady structure with a characteristic scale on the order of r(B) With the electron inertia taken into account in the hydrodynamic approximation, the magnetic vortex structure in a hot plasma manifests itself in the appe arance of a "hole" in the plasma density. (C) 2000 MAIK "Nauka/Interperiodi ca".