Quasi-linear spectrum of current driven ion cyclotron waves
Abstract
Quasi-linear theory is applied to the current-driven longitudinal ion-cyclotron instability in a magnetized collisional electron-proton plasma. A quasi-stationary state, consisting of a balance between current excitation of the spectrum and collisional effects, is obtained when the applied electric field is marginally greater than the instability threshold. This state ceases to exist when quasi-linear diffusion of the protons exceeds velocity-space collisional diffusion. Solution of the ion kinetic equation is obtained by an iterative technique utilizing variational properties of the collision operator. Results are considered within the context of the solar-wind plasma.
- Publication:
-
Physics of Fluids
- Pub Date:
- December 1975
- DOI:
- 10.1063/1.861060
- Bibcode:
- 1975PhFl...18.1790H
- Keywords:
-
- Collisional Plasmas;
- Hydrogen Plasma;
- Ion Cyclotron Radiation;
- Magnetohydrodynamic Stability;
- Nonlinear Equations;
- Electron Diffusion;
- Electron Plasma;
- Electrostatic Waves;
- Fokker-Planck Equation;
- Iterative Solution;
- Plasma Waves;
- Proton Resonance;
- Proton-Proton Reactions;
- Solar Wind Velocity;
- Variational Principles;
- Velocity Distribution;
- Solar Physics