Nonlinear interaction of obliquely propagating Bernstein waves with electrons in a plasma

1988 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masao Sugawa
Keyword(s):  
Energy Exchange ◽  
Turbulent Plasma ◽  
Electron Velocity ◽  
Velocity Spread ◽  
Monochromatic Wave ◽  
Electron Velocity Distribution ◽  
Wave Approximation ◽  
Bernstein Waves ◽  
The Waves ◽  
Resonant Velocity

We obtain analytical expression for the interaction of obliquely propagating Bernstein waves with electrons by using the monochromatic wave approximation for quasi-linear theory in a weakly turbulent plasma. A numerical analysis is also carried out. The waves show initially strong damping and irregular amplitude oscillation, and the electron velocity distribution shows a variation corresponding to one of the waves. These are results of the energy exchange between waves and electrons. Despite the use of the monochromatic wave approximation, strongly scattering electrons with a broad velocity spread about the resonant velocity by the wave is seen.

scholarly journals Cluster PEACE observations of electrons of spacecraft origin

2001 ◽  
Vol 19 (10/12) ◽  
pp. 1721-1730 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Szita ◽  
A. N. Fazakerley ◽  
P. J. Carter ◽  
A. M. James ◽  
P. Trávnícek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Energy ◽  
Plasma Electron ◽  
Electron Velocity ◽  
Lunar Eclipse ◽  
Arrival Direction ◽  
Electron Velocity Distribution ◽  
Potential Control ◽  
Spacecraft Potential ◽  
Solar Uv ◽  
Gradient Change

Abstract. The two PEACE (Plasma Electron And Current Experiment) sensors on board each Cluster spacecraft sample the electron velocity distribution across the full 4<pi> solid angle and the energy range 0.7 eV to 26 keV with a time resolution of 4 s. We present high energy and angular resolution 3D observations of electrons of spacecraft origin in the various environments encountered by the Cluster constellation, including a lunar eclipse interval where the spacecraft potential was reduced but remained positive, and periods of ASPOC (Active Spacecraft POtential Control) operation which reduced the spacecraft potential. We demonstrate how the spacecraft potential may be found from a gradient change in the PEACE low energy spectrum, and show how the observed spacecraft electrons are confined by the spacecraft potential. We identify an intense component of the spacecraft electrons with energies equivalent to the spacecraft potential, the arrival direction of which is seen to change when ASPOC is switched on. Another spacecraft electron component, observed in the sunward direction, is reduced in the eclipse but unaffected by ASPOC, and we believe this component is produced in the analyser by solar UV. We find that PEACE anodes with a look direction along the spacecraft surfaces are more susceptible to spacecraft electron contamination than those which look perpendicular to the surface, which justifies the decision to mount PEACE with its field-of-view radially outward rather than tangentially.Key words. Magnetosheric physics (general or miscellaneous) Space plasma physics (spacecraft sheaths, wakes, charging)

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