Generation of a Nonuniform Transverse Ion Flow by a Propagating Electrostatic Wave in a Strongly Magnetized Hot Plasma

Abstract

The plasma response to an externally driven low‐frequency electrostatic wave, propagating perpendicularly to a uniform and static magnetic field, is investigated by means of a kinetic code, which solves the Vlasov equation for ions coupled to the Poisson equation. The aim of the investigation is to simulate the interaction of an ion Bernstein wave (IBW) with a collisionless plasma. The problem is dealt with in the frame of a one‐dimensional slab model, where all physical quantities vary in the direction of wave propagation. Electrons constitute a uniform neutralizing background.

The analysis shows that a net ion flow, transverse both to the magnetic field and to the wave‐vector, is produced, with peak amplitude at frequencies higher than the low‐order harmonics of the ion cyclotron frequency. In order to produce a flow spatial profile steep enough to satisfy the criterion for drift‐wave suppression, several kV/cm are needed inside the plasma.

Keywords:

• Vlasov equation
• magnetized plasma
• electrostatic waves
• plasma flows

Acknowledgments

Part of this work was supported by the INFM Parallel Computing Initiative and by the CINECA Interuniversity Consortium, Bologna, Italy.