Instabilities and solitary structures in plasmas with ion beams: Linear theory and Vlasov simulations
- Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G7 (Canada)
The instabilities and solitons in plasmas with cold and relatively weak (n{sub b}/n{sub e}{<=}0.1) sonic (v{sub b}{approx}v{sub s}) ion beams are investigated by linear perturbation theory and Vlasov-Poisson simulations. The properties of beams and plasmas under consideration are comparable to those observed in the solar wind and in the Earth auroral zone near 1 R{sub E}. It is found that in the nonlinear phase, after the saturation of the unstable waves, the subsonic rarefactive and supersonic compressional solitary structures can be formed. Their propagation velocities are slightly below or above the ion sound velocity v{sub s}, lengths are of the order of 20-50 electron Debye lengths {lambda}{sub De}, amplitudes {delta}n/n{approx}0.03-0.3 and e{phi}/({kappa}{sub B}T{sub e}){approx}0.01-0.1.
- OSTI ID:
- 20960087
- Journal Information:
- Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 14, Issue 1; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.2430519; (c) 2007 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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