Self-similarity of electrostatic fluctuations in a linear magnetised plasma system

Abstract

In this Letter the long-range time correlations present in the fluctuation data in presence of electrostatic instability in a magnetised dc discharge plasma is presented. The electrostatic instability is generated due to the effect of crossed electric and magnetic field ( E × B flow) and has intermediate frequency ranging from 50 to 100 MHz. Hurst exponent, the self-similarity parameter is calculated with the help of different statistical methods suggested by many researchers to determine the long-range time correlation present in fluctuation dynamics in the plasma column. The fluctuation in the ion saturation current is measured by a Langmuir probe for the study and the measurement is done both radially and axially in the plasma system. Estimated results clearly expose the self-similar character of the fluctuations with self-similarity parameters having values from 0.65 to 0.90 through the presence of long-range time correlation.