Backward waves in the nonlinear regime of the Buneman instability

Abstract

Observation of low-and high-frequency backward waves in the nonlinear regime of the Buneman instability is reported. Intense low-frequency backward waves propagating in the direction opposite to the electron drift (with respect to the ion population) of ions and electrons are found. The excitation of these waves is explained based on the linear theory for the stability of the electron velocity distribution function that is modified by nonlinear effects. In the nonlinear regime, the electron distribution exhibits a wide plateau formed by electron hole trapping and extends into the negative velocity region. It is shown that within the linear approach, the backward waves correspond to the weakly unstable or marginally stable modes generated by the large population of particles with negative velocities.

Nonlinear regimes of the electron cyclotron drift instability in Vlasov simulations

“…These waves (also seen at some locations in Fig. 2) are usually a result of the strong modification of the electron distribution function due to the trapping in high-amplitude potential wells of the electric field [35][36][37][38] . A similar feature of the backward waves has also been observed experimentally in the Hall thruster plasma 7,39 .…”