Kinetic theory of low-frequency cross-field instability in a weakly ionized plasma. II
- Laboratory of Plasma Studies, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853 (United States)
The consistent kinetic approach developed in Paper I [Ya. S. Dimant and R. N. Sudan, Phys. Plasmas {bold 2}, 1157 (1995)] is applied to obtain the general dispersion relation of the two-stream {bold E}{times}{bold B} instability in collisionally dominated weakly ionized plasmas for wave frequencies small compared to the ion--neutral collision frequency. This dispersion relation covers the whole low-frequency band from the asymptotic short-wave limit studied in Paper I to the long-wave limit. Previous theories employing simplified kinetic theory or fluid equations for electron behavior are only correct in the long-wave limit. The principal new results are that the threshold conditions for this instability and the growth rates are altered from those predicted by earlier simplified theories. {copyright} {ital 1995} {ital American} {ital Institute} {ital of} {ital Physics}.
- OSTI ID:
- 165097
- Journal Information:
- Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 2; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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