Electromagnetic drift instabilities in high-$β$ plasma under conditions of a field reversed configuration

Electromagnetic drift instabilities are studied in the conditions of a field reversed configuration (FRC). Dispersion equation is based on the set of Vlasov–Maxwell equations taking into account nonadiabatic responses both of ions and electrons. Considered drift instabilities are caused by density and temperature gradients. It is assumed that magnetic field of the FRC is purely poloidal. Two kinds of magnetic field nonuniformity are considered: (i) perpendicular gradient due to high $β$ values (⁠$β$ is the plasma pressure/magnetic pressure) and (ii) curvature of magnetic lines. There is low frequency drift instability existing for high-$β$ regimes. Modes of such instability can propagate transversally to the unperturbed magnetic field lines.