Pedersen density drift instabilities

Abstract

This paper describes the linear kinetic theory of electrostatic drift instabilities driven by Pedersen and density drift velocities. The model uses a uniform magnetic field ; a weak, uniform density gradient in the x direction; and a weak, uniform electric field in the y direction. Weak charged‐neutral collisions are represented by the addition of BGK model terms to the Vlasov equation. The resulting local dispersion equation is used to study the properties of the associated instabilities at ka i ≳ 1 (where k is the wave number and a i is the ion gyroradius). Results show that the E×B gradient drift instability at ka i ≃ 1 may grow in the auroral ionosphere primarily in the vicinity of 200 km and only if the electron density is sufficiently small.