Damping of plasma waves in the lower hybrid frequency range

Abstract

Damping of quasi-longitudinal plasma oscillations in the lower hybrid frequency range has been investigated. The complete dispersion equation governing small-amplitude quasi-longitudinal oscillations of hot homogeneous anisotropic plasma has been solved numerically for a wide range of plasma parameters. Temporal damping rates of stable eigen oscillations and spatial damping rates of externally driven plasma waves are given. The lower hybrid dispersion curves are presented. The straight-line orbit approximation and the influence of distant collisions on the ion resonant interaction are discussed. The results obtained indicate that the wave energy is preferentially given to the ion perpendicular motion while an efficient energy transfer to the electrons requires a large electron velocity spread along the field lines.