A kinetic cross-field streaming instability

Journal Article · Sun May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983 · Phys. Fluids; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.864285· OSTI ID:6295490

Wu, C S; Zhou, Y M; Tsai, S; Guo, S C; Winske, D; Papadopoulos, K

In a high-beta plasma the so-called modified-two-stream instability, which results from strongly magnetized electrons drifting relative to unmagnetized ions across a homogeneous magnetic field, is misnamed because the mode is highly kinetic, particularly when the relative streaming velocity exceeds the Alfven speed of the plasma. This kinetic cross-field streaming instability is investigated in detail, examining the effect of the electromagnetic terms and the stability boundaries in both low- and high-beta plasmas. An approximate dispersion relation showing the relation of this mode to the whistler is derived and solutions of it are compared with those obtained from the exact dispersion relation. The kinetic mode, unlike the usual modified-two-stream instability, is not stabilized by electromagnetic effects when the relative electron--ion drift speed exceeds the Alfven speed.

• Research Organization: Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742
• OSTI ID: 6295490
• Journal Information: Phys. Fluids; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Fluids; (United States) Vol. 26:5; ISSN PFLDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700107* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Instabilities
ANALYTICAL SOLUTION
CORRELATIONS
CROSSED FIELDS
DISPERSION RELATIONS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRON DRIFT
HIGH-BETA PLASMA
INSTABILITY
MAGNETIC FIELDS
NOISE
PLASMA
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MICROINSTABILITIES
PLASMA WAVES
RADIATIONS
RADIO NOISE
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
STABILITY
TWO-STREAM INSTABILITY
WHISTLERS