Numerical analysis of electrostatic ion cyclotron instability in an electron-positron-ion plasma

Journal Article · Wed Jun 15 04:00:00 EDT 2016 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4953094· OSTI ID:22598966

This paper presents a theoretical study of the effects of positron density on the electrostatic ion cyclotron instability in an electron-positron-ion plasma using the kinetic theory approach. It is supposed that positrons and electrons can drift parallel to the magnetic field either in the same or the opposite directions. The dispersion relation for the electrostatic ion cyclotron waves in an electron-positron-ion plasma is derived, and the numerical results are investigated. It is found that an increase in positron concentration increases the critical drift velocity for excitation of the instability in both configurations. It is also found that as the positron concentration increases the growth rate of instability decreases. In addition, it is shown that at low velocities the maximum instability growth rate for the unidirectional case is higher than the counter-streaming case; however, after a certain velocity, the maximum growth rate in the counter-streaming case dominates that of the unidirectional case.

• OSTI ID: 22598966
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 23; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ABUNDANCE
CONCENTRATION RATIO
CYCLOTRON INSTABILITY
CYCLOTRONS
DENSITY
DISPERSION RELATIONS
ELECTRONS
EXCITATION
INSTABILITY GROWTH RATES
ION PLASMA WAVES
IONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
NUMERICAL ANALYSIS
POSITRONS
VELOCITY