Theory of Space Plasma Microinstabilities

This book describes the linear theory of waves and instabilities that propagate in a collisionless plasma.

S. Peter Gary (Author)

9780521437486, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 13 October 2005

196 pages, 78 b/w illus. 10 tables
24.5 x 16.9 x 1.1 cm, 0.324 kg

The ionized material that constitutes plasma permeates almost all of the universe beyond the planets and their atmospheres and satellites. This book describes the linear theory of many different waves and instabilities that may propagate in a collisionless plasma. Electrostatic and electromagnetic fluctuations, and a variety of instability sources are considered. Applications of the theory are discussed with respect to spacecraft observations in the solar wind, terrestrial magnetosheath, magnetosphere and magnetotail and at the bow shock and magnetopause. Tables at the end of most chapters summarize wave and instability nomenclature and properties, and problems for the reader to solve are interspersed throughout the text. Together these make this book of great value to both the student and research worker in space physics.

1. Introduction
2. Electrostatic waves in uniform plasmas
3. Electrostatic component/component instabilities in uniform plasmas
4. Electrostatic drift instabilities in inhomogeneous plasmas
5. Electromagnetic fluctuations in uniform plasmas
6. Electromagnetic waves in uniform plasmas
7. Electromagnetic temperature anisotropy instabilities in uniform plasmas
8. Electromagnetic component/component instabilities in uniform plasmas.

Subject Areas: Atmospheric physics [PHVJ]