Ion Cyclotron Drift Instability Driven by Cross-Field Electron Current and Plasma Heating

The ion cyclotron drift instability can be excited by a cross-field current due to \mbi{E}_\textbf{r}×\mbi{B} drift of electrons when a strong radial electric field \mbi{E}_\textbf{r} is produced in an inhomogeneous plasma column under a weak magnetic field \mbi{B} by applying a dc voltage between a cathode and a heating anode of hollow cylindrical type. Experimental results of the instability are well explained by the dispersion equation, where a negative energy wave of a drifting electron beam interacts with the ion Bernstein wave in the background plasma. As the instability is developed, considerable heating of ions and electrons is observed in the perpendicular and parallel direction to \mbi{B}, respectively.