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Electromagnetic lower hybrid instabilities in an inhomogeneous plasma

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:6691742
The electromagnetic properties of four microinstabilities in an inhomogeneous plasma with a temperature gradient are studied analytically and numerically. The evolution of the drift cyclotron loss cone instability as the loss cone velocity distribution is progressively filled with a warm Maxwellian component is studied. The addition of the warm plasma results in both a lowering of the growth rate and a distortion and narrowing of the frequency spectrum. Under conditions typical of an almost filled loss cone, the numerical results shows that the growth rate can be largest for the lower ion cyclotron harmonics.
OSTI ID:
6691742
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English