Diffusion in plasma: the Hall effect, compositional waves, and chemical spots

Abstract

We consider diffusion caused by a combined influence of the electric current and the Hall effect, and argue that such diffusion can form inhomogeneities of the chemical composition in plasma. The considered mechanism can be responsible for a formation of element spots in laboratory and astrophysical plasmas. This current-driven diffusion can be accompanied by propagation of a particular type waves in which the impurity number density oscillate alone. These compositional waves exist if the magnetic pressure in plasma is much greater than the gas pressure,