Abstract
The local dispersion equation for the drift-cyclotron instability is derived and solved in order to examine the effects of finite beta associated with (a) transverse electromagnetic perturbations (δB≠0), and (b) resonant and nonresonant ∇B orbit modifications of both electrons and ions. Moreover, a formalism is chosen which allows consideration of variable density gradients, (me/mi)1/2≲rLi/LN≲1, on the ions. A detailed numerical study of the effects of finite beta on the general dispersive character and unstable spectrum is presented as well as a consideration of the effects of finite beta on the most rapidly growing mode. It is found that finite beta, in general, increases the frequency and reduces the growth rate but does not completely stabilize the drift-cyclotron instability. The transition of the drift-cyclotron instability into the lower-hybrid-drift instability which occurs for rLi/LN≃ (me/mi)1/4 is also discussed.
Published Version
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