Simulations of compressional stabilization of the interchange mode

A two-dimensional particle simulation study of the interchange mode is presented. The computer model utilizes a bounded, electrostatic code which calculates full particle dynamics in an inhomogeneous magnetic field. Compressional stabilization, which is well known from flux tube interchange arguments, is tested. The code results do not appear to indicate any stabilization due to plasma compression. Growth rates derived from a dispersion relation obtained from the Vlasov equation in a local approximation do not compare well with those obtained from the simulations. The simulations indicate that the interchange mode develops into vortex structures after linear growth and further show stabilization due to finite-Larmor-radius effects