Filamentation instability of a large amplitude whistler wave

Journal Article · Tue Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1976 · Phys. Fluids; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.861552· OSTI ID:7354375

Stenzel, R L

A filamentation instability of a large amplitude whistler wave is observed in a laboratory experiment. The wave is launched in a large uniform magnetoplasma from antennas which produce a diverging energy flow in the linear regime. At large amplitudes (B/subw//B/sub 0/approx. =1%) the radiation pressure gives rise to a density depression originating from the antenna. The wave refracts into the density minimum which enhances the pressure and a filamentation instability develops. It saturates when a long field-aligned density trough is formed in which the wave is almost perfectly ducted. The temporal and spatial evolution of the self-ducting process are shown. The duct formed by the high power whistler wave also guides small amplitude whistlers over a wide range of frequencies. (AIP)

• Research Organization: TRW Systems, Redondo Beach, California 90278
• OSTI ID: 7354375
• Journal Information: Phys. Fluids; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Fluids; (United States) Vol. 19:6; ISSN PFLDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700107* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Instabilities
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FOCUSING
INSTABILITY GROWTH RATES
NOISE
PLASMA FILAMENT
PLASMA WAVES
RADIATIONS
RADIO NOISE
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
WAVE PROPAGATION
WHISTLERS