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arXiv · 0903.1311

Nonlinear Development of Streaming Instabilities In Strongly Magnetized Plasmas

H. Che·J. F. Drake·M. Swisdak·P. H. Yoon
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Abstract

The nonlinear development of streaming instabilities in the current layers formed during magnetic reconnection with a guide field is explored. Theory and 3-D particle-in-cell simulations reveal two distinct phases. First, the parallel Buneman instability grows and traps low velocity electrons. The remaining electrons then drive two forms of turbulence: the parallel electron-electron two-stream instability and the nearly-perpendicular lower hybrid instability. The high velocity electrons resonate with the turbulence and transfer momentum to the ions and low velocity electrons.

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H. Che, J. F. Drake, M. Swisdak, P. H. Yoon. 2009-03-07. Nonlinear Development of Streaming Instabilities In Strongly Magnetized Plasmas. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.102.145004

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