Abstract
A computer simulation is used to investigate the non-linear behaviour of the electromagnetic ion cyclotron instability in a homogeneous plasma. The results indicate (i) a fast build up of left-hand (proton-like) polarized electromagnetic waves: the peak-value energy is about 230 times larger than the initial one and represents about 10% of the total energy in the system; (ii) a significant relaxation (isothermalisation) of the initial thermal anisotropy value of 100 to a minimum value of about '3' (at peak field value); (iii) the establishment of a quasi-equilibrium state (from the collective point of view).
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 008 |
| Pages (from-to) | 699-705 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Plasma Physics |
| Volume | 17 |
| Issue number | 9 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1975 |