Self-Consistent Reversed Field Sheath

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Abstract
An analytic solution is obtained for the structure of a prototype reversed field sheath. The configuration is a region of uniform (direct) magnetic field separated from a second region of uniform (reversed) field of equal magnitude but opposite sign by a current sheath of finite width composed of zero temperature plasma. Growth rates of certain instabilities of the system are calculated. It is found that the modes considered do not grow as rapidly as the plasma frequency, but the growth rates may still be quite large. Finally, a qualitative discussion is given of the results to be expected when the reversed field is opposed by a direct field of larger magnitude.