On the validity of quasilinear theory applied to the electron bump-on-tail instability

Abstract

The accuracy of quasilinear theory applied to the electron bump-on-tail instability, a classic model problem, is explored with conservative high-order discontinuous Galerkin methods applied to both the quasilinear equations and to a direct simulation of the Vlasov–Poisson equations. The initial condition is chosen in the regime of beam parameters for which quasilinear theory should be applicable. Quasilinear diffusion is initially in good agreement with the direct simulation but later underestimates the turbulent momentum flux. The greater turbulent flux of the direct simulation leads to a correction from quasilinear evolution by quenching the instability in a finite time. Flux enhancement above quasilinear levels occurs as the phase space eddy turnover time in the largest amplitude wavepackets becomes comparable to the transit time of resonant phase fluid through wavepacket potentials. In this regime, eddies effectively turn over during wavepacket transit so that phase fluid predominantly disperses by eddy phase mixing rather than by randomly phased waves. The enhanced turbulent flux of resonant phase fluid leads, in turn, through energy conservation to an increase in non-resonant turbulent flux and, thus, to an enhanced heating of the main thermal body above quasilinear predictions. These findings shed light on the kinetic turbulence fluctuation spectrum and support the theory that collisionless momentum diffusion beyond the quasilinear approximation can be understood through the dynamics of phase space eddies (or clumps and granulations).