Cyclotron harmonic wave propagation and instabilities: I. Perpendicular propagation

Abstract

Parts I and II of this paper present a comprehensive picture of longitudinal wave propagation in a warm homogeneous magnetoplasma. Part I discusses computed dispersion characteristics for propagation perpendicular to the static magnetic field. For a ring electron velocity distribution it is found that mode coupling and absolute instability can occur. Similar effects are predicted for a spherical shell distribution. The Maxwellian distribution gives rise to stable propagation of undamped waves, and attenuating standing waves. A mixture of ring and Maxwellian distributions can give absolute instability with stronger growth and lower instability thresholds than for the ring distribution alone. Propagation oblique to the static magnetic field will be dealt with in Part II.

How to determine the thermal electron density and the magnetic field strength from the Cluster/Whisper observations around the Earth

“…The Debye length can be deduced from F pe /F ce and r L , λ D = r L F ce /F pe = 3.8 m, which has to be compared to the 80 m of the Viking spherical double probe length. The wavelengths of the Bernstein's resonances F q2 , F q3 , and F q4 can also be calculated; they are equal to 32 m, 17 m, and > 9 m (see F qn dispersion diagram in Tataronis and Crawford, 1970), respectively. Although these wavelengths are shorter than the antenna length, they were clearly seen by the Viking sounder (Perraut et al, 1990).…”

Electron and Ion Distributions at High Latitudes as Measured by the Air Force Polar Orbiting Satellites.

“…Since ANx is undulatory about zero, unstable solutions are anticipated (Tataronis and Crawford, 1970). In Appendix A It is shown that in uslnq a threetern approximation to equation ( '/iz1.8 0…”

“…The solutions are equivalent to those obtained by Tataronis and Crawford (1970) using the electrostatic approximation to the dispersion relation. …”

“…Electrostatic upper hybrid waves observed on ISEE-1 have also been explained by this theory (Kurth, et al 1979 Here the problem will be approached in a manner suqqested by the work of Tataronis and Crawford (1970). They used the quasi-static approxination in deriving a dispersion relation for a warm naqnetoplasma and proceeded to examine under what conditions unstable electrostatic cyclotron harmonic waves (Bernstein nodes) exist.…”

Wave propagation in the warm plasma and the spectrum of the solar radio bursts

“…Tataronis and Crawford (1970) have recently given a survey of these instabilities found by Harris (1959) supposing different anisotropic velocity distributions of electrons. Branches of the dispersion curves with negative group velocity exist in all these cases not only near the hybrid frequency but also near the gyroharmonics in a fashion similar to Figure 3a.…”