Title: Theory of the thermal parametric instability in an inhomogeneous plasma
Abstract:The linear stage of the thermal parametric instability in an inhomogeneous magnetized plasma is analyzed. An inhomogeneity of the medium is of fundamental importance for this instability, determining ...The linear stage of the thermal parametric instability in an inhomogeneous magnetized plasma is analyzed. An inhomogeneity of the medium is of fundamental importance for this instability, determining the threshold amplitude of the pump wave. Under the approximations adopted, this instability arises only if there is a turning point for the plasma waves. The instability threshold is well below that for the electrical parametric instability, which is usually invoked in explaining the onset of plasma turbulence near the reflection point for an electromagnetic wave. The instability threshold is found. The instability growth rate is found as a function of the transverse characteristic dimension of the density inhomogeneities which are excited and as a function of the pump amplitude.Read More
Publication Year: 1978
Publication Date: 1978-11-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 26
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