Particle-in-cell simulations of beam-driven electrostatic waves in a plasma

作者：Koen Etienne J^*; Collier Andrew B; Maharaj Shimul K

来源：Physics of Plasmas, 2012, 19(4): 042101.

DOI：10.1063/1.3695402

Using a particle-in-cell simulation, the characteristics of electrostatic waves are investigated in a three-electron component plasma including an electron beam. A Maxwellian distribution is used to describe the electron velocities. Three electrostatic modes are excited, namely electron plasma, electron acoustic, and beam-driven waves. These modes have a broad frequency spectrum and have been associated with intense broadband electrostatic noise observed in the Earth%26apos;s auroral zone. The simulation results compare well with analytical dispersion and growth rate relations. This agreement serves to validate the simulation technique.

• 出版日期2012-4