Fluctuations in an electron-positron plasma: linear theory and implications for turbulence

Gary, S Peter; Karimabadi, Homa

doi:10.1063/1.3106686

Fluctuations in an electron-positron plasma: linear theory and implications for turbulence

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2009 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3106686· OSTI ID:956367

Gary, S Peter ^[1]; Karimabadi, Homa ^[2]

Los Alamos National Laboratory
UCSD

Linear kinetic theory of electromagnetic fluctuations in a homogeneous, magnetized, collisionless electron-positron plasma predicts two lightly damped modes propagate at relatively long wavelengths: an Alfven-like mode with dispersion {omega}{sub r} = k{sub {parallel}}{bar {nu}}{sub A} and a magnetosonic-like mode with dispersion {omega}{sub r} {approx_equal} k{bar {nu}}{sub A} if {beta}{sub e} << 1. Here {bar {nu}}{sub A} is the Alfven speed in an electron-positron plasma and {parallel} refers to the direction relative to the background magnetic field B{sub 0}. Alfven-like fluctuations are incompressible, but the magnetosoniclike fluctuations become compressible at propagation oblique to B{sub 0}. The onset of cyclotron damping of both modes moves to smaller k{sub {parallel}}c/{omega}{sub e} as {beta}{sub {parallel}e} increases. Using the linear dispersion properties of these modes, scaling relations are derived which predict that turbulence of both modes should be relatively anisotropic, with fluctuating magnetic energy preferentially cascading in directions relatively perpendicular to B{sub 0}. But two-regime turbulence with a distinct breakpoint in wavenumber space observed in the solar wind should not be present in electron-positron plasmas because of the absence of whistler-like dispersion. Linear theory properties of the cyclotron and mirror instabilities driven by either electron or positron temperature anisotropies are generally analogous to the corresponding instabilities in electron-proton plasmas.

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Research Organization:: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL)

Sponsoring Organization:: DOE

DOE Contract Number:: AC52-06NA25396

OSTI ID:: 956367

Report Number(s):: LA-UR-09-00644; LA-UR-09-644

Journal Information:: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Fluctuations in an electron-positron plasma: linear theory and implications for turbulence

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