Theory of nonlinear ion-electron instability
Year: 1982
Type: article
Abstract: A nonlinear theory describing the interaction of ion and electron ’’clumps’’ in a turbulent Vlasov plasma is presented. Numerical and analytical solutions predict that, in the presence of a drift vd of the average electron distribution, a spectrum driven by such fluctuations will be unstable to drifts which are appreciably below those required for the onset of a linear instability. The instability exists over a large range of the parameter space vd and Te/Ti (the electron to ion temperature ratio); moreover, the growth rate is amplitude dependent being approximately proportional to the trapping time. These results are in good agreement with recent computer simulations.
Source: The Physics of Fluids
DOI: 10.1063/1.863817
Authors: Teymour Boutros-Ghali, Thomas H. Dupree
Institution: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1487878793