Generation of a magnetic field in a slightly inhomogeneous plasma

The paper presents a theoretical study of the spontaneous excitation of a magnetic field in a slightly inhomogeneous, slightly ionized plasma with a relatively low temperature. It is shown that magnetothermal instability is absent in such a plasma due to the effect of thermal conduction, while this instability can have an absolute character in a strongly inhomogeneous plasma. The results are of interest in connection with studies of the ionospheric plasma.