High-frequency Wave Excitement in a Multi-ion Plasma Subjected to Alfven Waves

University Of Alaska Fairbanks Campus, Fairbanks AK

Investigators

Abstract

The investigators will study high frequency mode excitation in near-Earth space plasmas in the presence of low frequency waves, and to examine the significance of this mechanism on plasma energization and wave saturation. The coupling of lower hybrid and ion acoustic modes with Alfven waves in the ring current and auroral zones is a particular area of emphasis. The novelty of this research is in the generalization of the method developed for analysis of high frequency wave parametric excitation in plasmas of the near-Earth space environment. Defining and understanding the physics of multi-component plasma is essential for the analysis of magnetospheric plasma phenomena