Physics
Scientific paper
Apr 1994
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1994jgr....99.6045m&link_type=abstract
Journal of Geophysical Research (ISSN 0148-0227), vol. 99, no. A4, p. 6045-6065
Physics
2
Electron Energy, Electrostatic Waves, Ion Acoustic Waves, Ion Cyclotron Radiation, Ion Temperature, Magnetohydrodynamic Stability, Plasma Clouds, Computerized Simulation, Ionospheric Drift, Particle Mass, Wave Interaction
Scientific paper
The electrostatic ion cyclotron (EIC) and ion acoustic (IA) waves can be driven unstable by an electron current. The critical drift velocity of the electrons, at which the wave modes become unstable, depends on the parallel and perpendicular temperatures of the electrons and ions, and on the ion mass. We show that in plasma simulations the critical drift velocity for the electrostatic ion cyclotron wave has an additional dependence on the plasma magnetization, OMEGA(sub e)/omega(sub pe). This is negligible for naturally occuring ions, but becomes increasingly important when ion mass m(sub i) is reduced below the proton mass (m(sub p) = 1836m(sub e)). We have solved numerically the dispersion equation for the critically unstable EIC and IA waves for ion to electron mass ratios 40 less than or = m(sub i)/m(sub e) less than or equal 1836, and show how the reduction of the mass ratio affects the critical drifts. The temporal and spatial growth rates of the excited waves and changes in the wave behavior when the ion mass is reduced are discussed. It is shown that a careful selection of the ion to electron mass ratio has important consequences with regard to the interpretation of results of two-dimensional numerical simulations of electrostatic wave instabilities, since in certain parameter regimes the EIC wave behavior is strongly altered below a magnetization-dependent ion to electron mass ratio.
No associations
LandOfFree
Analysis of the effect of artificial ion masses on current-driven electrostatic instabilities does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Analysis of the effect of artificial ion masses on current-driven electrostatic instabilities, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Analysis of the effect of artificial ion masses on current-driven electrostatic instabilities will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1258757