Long wavelength limit of the current convective instability

Journal Article · Tue May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA089iA05p02931· OSTI ID:6653161

Huba, J D

A linear theory is presented of the current convective instability in the long wavelength limit, i.e., kL<<1 where k is the wave number and L is the scale length of the density inhomogeneity A relatively simple dispersion equation is derived that describes the modes in this limit. Analytical solutions are presented in both the collisional (..nu../sub i/n>>..omega..) and inertial (..nu../sub i/n>>..omega..) limits where ..omega.. is the wave frequency and ..nu../sub i/n is the ion-neutral collision frequency. It is shown that the growth rate scales as k in the collisional limit and as k/sup 2/3/ in the inertial limit. The analytical solutions are compared to exact numerical solutions, and very good agreement is found. Applications to the auroral ionosphere are discussed.

• Research Organization: Geophysical and Plasma Dynamics Branch, Plasma Physics Division, Naval Research Laboratory
• OSTI ID: 6653161
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 89:A5; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640201* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
&amp; Magetospheric Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ANALYTICAL SOLUTION
COLLISIONS
CONVECTIVE INSTABILITIES
DIMENSIONS
DISPERSION RELATIONS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
HEIGHT
INSTABILITY
INSTABILITY GROWTH RATES
ION COLLISIONS
ION-MOLECULE COLLISIONS
IONOSPHERE
MOLECULE COLLISIONS
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
PLASMA DENSITY
PLASMA INSTABILITY
SCALE HEIGHT