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Electrostatic ion cyclotron electron drift instability

Journal Article · · Phys. Fluids; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.862813· OSTI ID:6044530

The ion cyclotron electron drift instability is studied using the linear Vlasov dispersion relation for electrostatic instabilities. The sources of free energy are density, temperature and magnetic field gradients across and a current parallel to a unidirectional magnetic field. Propagation is in the plane defined by the drift velocity and the magnetic field. This instability, which is driven by the electron drifts and undergoes ion cyclotron damping, propagates at the ion cyclotron frequency, but at wavelengths much shorter than the ion gyroradius. Although its growth rates are small compared with an ion gyrofrequency, the instability is favored by increasing T/sub e//T/sub i/, and it becomes competetive with the ion cyclotron ion drift instability at T/sub e/> or =4T/sub i/.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, University of California, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545
OSTI ID:
6044530
Journal Information:
Phys. Fluids; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Fluids; (United States) Vol. 22:9; ISSN PFLDA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English