Electromagnetic current instabilities

Journal Article · Thu Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1976 · Phys. Fluids, v. 19, no. 4, pp. 579-586

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.861492· OSTI ID:4047667

Gary, S P; Gerwin, R A; Forslund, D W

Linear electromagnetic waves in an infinite, homogenous current-carrying Vlasov plasma with ion $beta$approx. =1 are considered. Three instabilities emerge: a long wavelength, ''kink-like'' mode, and two instabilities with wavenumbers greater than the reciprocal ion Larmor radius, the ''electromagnetic ion acoustic instability'' and the ''whistler current instability.'' The linear properties of these instabilities are investigated in detail; they have substantially lower thresholds than the electrostatic ion-acoustic instability, and are generally favored by increasing ion $beta$. In the regime of linear growth, the whistler current instability can give rise to an anomalous resistivity, and preferentially heats the ions. (AIP)

• Research Organization: Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, University of California, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-33-028748
• OSTI ID: 4047667
• Journal Information: Phys. Fluids, v. 19, no. 4, pp. 579-586, Journal Name: Phys. Fluids, v. 19, no. 4, pp. 579-586; ISSN PFLDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*KINK INSTABILITY-- ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
*PLASMA MACROINSTABILITIES-- KINK INSTABILITY
700107* --Fusion Energy--Plasma Research--Plasma Instabilities
BETA RATIO
ION ACOUSTIC WAVES
N70700* --Physics--Controlled Thermonuclear Research-- Stability
WAVE PROPAGATION
WHISTLERS