Plasma heating by a purely growing mode driven by cross-field currents in quasiperpendicular collisionless shock

Journal Article · Fri Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1991 · Physics of Fluids B; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.859787· OSTI ID:5021498

Yoon, P H ^[1]

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1. Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland (USA)

A purely growing mode propagating exactly parallel to the ambient magnetic field, driven by a cross-field current was first discussed by Chang {ital et} {ital al}. (Phys. Rev. Lett. {bold 65}, 1104 (1990)). This paper examines the nonlinear evolution of this instability and the resulting heating of the plasma with particular emphasis on application to the quasiperpendicular collisionless shock wave. It is found that when the cross-field current is due to electrons, the instability saturates to extremely low level and the resulting heating becomes insignificant, whereas if the ions are allowed to drift the saturation level of the unstable wave is very large with substantial heating of both electrons and ions. On the other hand, if the electron drift is determined by equilibrium conditions such as the magnetic field and density inhomogeneities and local electric field at the shock front, it is found that the plasma heating becomes greatly enhanced.

• OSTI ID: 5021498
• Journal Information: Physics of Fluids B; (United States), Vol. 3:11; ISSN 0899-8221
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
PLASMA HEATING
SHOCK WAVES
DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS
DRIFT INSTABILITY
ELECTRON DRIFT
ELECTRON TEMPERATURE
INSTABILITY GROWTH RATES
ION DRIFT
KINETIC EQUATIONS
PLASMA MICROINSTABILITIES
TURBULENCE
EQUATIONS
FUNCTIONS
HEATING
INSTABILITY
PLASMA INSTABILITY
700101* - Fusion Energy- Plasma Research- Confinement
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