Ion-acoustic-like instabilities in the solar wind

Journal Article · Thu Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1978 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA083iA06p02504· OSTI ID:6431016

Gary, S P

The linear dispersion properties of k parallel to B electrostatic instabilities driven by an electron heat flux or an ion beam are studied by use of parameters appropriate to average values in the solar wind near 1 AU. These modes are also compared with field-aligned electromagnetic instabilities driven by the same sources of free energy. The ion acoustic heat flux instability has a high threshold relative to the whistler heat flux instability, so the latter mode is the more likely cause of the heat flux limitation near 1 AU. However, at sufficiently large T/sub e//T/sub i/ the electrostatic ion beam instability threshold is of the same order as that of the magnetosonic ion beam instability, implying that the former is the more likely source of ion-acoustic-like fluctuations observed near 1 AU. 28 references.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos Scientific Lab., NM
• OSTI ID: 6431016
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 83:A6; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640104* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Solar Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BEAMS
DISPERSION RELATIONS
ELECTRON TEMPERATURE
ELECTROSTATICS
ENERGY
INSTABILITY
ION ACOUSTIC WAVES
ION BEAMS
ION WAVES
PLASMA WAVES
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR WIND
THRESHOLD ENERGY
VARIATIONS