Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Stability of electrostatic ion cyclotron waves in a multi-ion plasma

  • Published:
Pramana Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We have studied the stability of the electrostatic ion cyclotron wave in a plasma consisting of isotropic hydrogen ions (H+) and temperature-anisotropic positively (O+) and negatively (O−) charged oxygen ions, with the electrons drifting parallel to the magnetic field. Analytical expressions have been derived for the frequency and growth/damping rate of ion cyclotron waves around the first harmonic of both hydrogen and oxygen ion gyrofrequencies. We find that the frequencies and growth/damping rates are dependent on the densities and temperatures of all species of ions. A detailed numerical study, for parameters relevant to comet Halley, shows that the growth rate is dependent on the magnitude of the frequency. The ion cyclotron waves are driven by the electron drift parallel to the magnetic field; the temperature anisotropy of the oxygen ions only slightly enhance the growth rates for small values of temperature anisotropies. A simple explanation, in terms of wave exponentiation times, is offered for the absence of electrostatic ion cyclotron waves in the multi-ion plasma of comet Halley.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. J J Rasmussen and R W Schrittwieser, IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci. PS-19, 457 (1991)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  2. W E Drummond and M N Rosenbluth, Phys. Fluids 5, 1507 (1962)

    Article  MATH  ADS  Google Scholar 

  3. J M Kindel and C F Kennel, J. Geophys. Res. 76, 3055 (1971)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  4. N D’Angelo and R L Merlino, IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci. PS-14, 285 (1986)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  5. V W Chow and M Rosenberg, Phys. Plasmas 3, 1202 (1996)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  6. H Jalori and A K Gwal, Pramana — J. Phys. 56, 779 (2001)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  7. M Rosenberg and P K Shukla, J. Plasma Phys. 73, 189 (2007)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  8. B T Tsurutani and E J Smith, Geophys. Res. Lett. 13, 263 (1986)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  9. F L Scarf, F V Coroniti, C F Kennel, T R Sanderson, K P Wenzel, R J Hynds, E J Smith, S J Bame, R D Zwicki, Geophys. Res. Lett. 13, 857 (1986)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  10. S Klimov et al, Nature (London) 321, 292 (1986)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  11. G S Lakhina, Astrophys. Space Sci. 133, 203 (1987)

    Article  MATH  ADS  Google Scholar 

  12. F L Scarf, F V Coroniti, C F Kennel, D A Gurnett, W H Ip and E J Smith, Science 232, 377 (1986)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  13. K Yumoto, T Saito and T Nagakawa, Geophys. Res. Lett. 13, 82 (1986)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. A L Brinca and B T Tsurutani, Astron. Astrophys. 187, 311 (1987)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  15. P H Chaizy, H Reme, J A Sauvaud, C d’Uston, R P Lin, D E Larson, D L Mitchell, K A Andersen, C W Carlson, A Korth and D A Mendis, Nature (London), 349, 393 (1991)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  16. A A Galeev et al, Geophys. Res. Lett. 13, 841 (1986)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  17. Vincena S, private communication

  18. B D Fried and S D Conte, The plasma dispersion function (Academic Press, New York, 1961)

    Google Scholar 

  19. W H Press, S A Teukolsky, W T Vellerling and B P Flannery, Numerical recipes in FORTRAN: The art of scientific computing, 2nd edn (Foundation Books, New Delhi, 1993)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Pure and Applied Physics, Mahatma Gandhi University, Priyadarshini Hills P.O., Kottayam, 686 560, India

    M. J. Kurian, S. Jyothi, S. K. Leju & Chandu Venugopal

  2. Department of Physics, All Saints’ College, Thiruvananthapuram, 695 007, India

    Molly Isaac

  3. Department of Physics, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, 695 581, India

    G. Renuka

Authors
  1. M. J. Kurian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. Jyothi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. K. Leju
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Molly Isaac
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Chandu Venugopal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. G. Renuka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chandu Venugopal.

Additional information

CVG and GR dedicate this paper to the memory of their revered teacher, the late Prof. K S Viswanathan.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kurian, M.J., Jyothi, S., Leju, S.K. et al. Stability of electrostatic ion cyclotron waves in a multi-ion plasma. Pramana - J Phys 73, 1111–1122 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12043-009-0171-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12043-009-0171-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation