Parametric excitation of a kinetic Alfvén wave at the ion-cyclotron frequency
Abstract
The parametric decay of an electrostatic ion-cyclotron wave into a low-frequency mixed-mode (EM-ES) kinetic Alvén wave and an electrostatic ion-cyclotron side-band has been investigated in a homogeneous low-β plasma. A nonlinear dispersion relation describing this parameteric interaction is derived. The partially electrostatic nature of the kinetic Alfvén wave and the component of the low-frequency ponderomotive force along the direction of the external magnetic field lead to the dominant coupling. Possible applications in the ionosphere, in the earth's magnetosphere and in laboratory plasmas are discussed.
- Publication:
-
Journal of Plasma Physics
- Pub Date:
- June 1990
- DOI:
- Bibcode:
- 1990JPlPh..43..457H
- Keywords:
-
- Ion Cyclotron Radiation;
- Magnetic Fields;
- Magnetohydrodynamic Waves;
- Earth Ionosphere;
- Earth Magnetosphere;
- Electrostatic Waves;
- Parametric Amplifiers;
- Wave Equations;
- Plasma Physics