Analytical and numerical analysis of the generalized Shkarofsky function

The main analytical properties of the generalized Shkarofsky function and a numerical code for its computation are discussed. The results of a numerical analysis are compared with the results of an asymptotic analysis for parameter values relevant to the problem of whistler-mode propagation in the Earth's magnetosphere. This comparison allows us to specify the range of applicability of different approximations to the generalized Shkarofsky function, which have been used for the analysis of relativistic effects on whistler-mode propagation and instability.     

Nonlinear stability of an infinite cylinder in the presence of a uniform axial magnetic field

The effect of a uniform axial magenetic field on the nonlinear instability of a self-gravitating infinite cylinder is examined. Using the method of multiple scales, it is found that while the nonlinear (modulational) instability cannot be completely suppressed, the presence of a magnetic field does increase the range of stable wave numbers. The evolution of the amplitude is governed by a non-linear Schrödinger equation which gives the criterion for modulational instability.Department of Chemical Engineering and Technology.Department of Mathematics.     

On the Envelope Soliton – Like Fine Structure in Solar Radio Emission

Several quasi-periodic, milliseconds fine structures in the metric wave band occurring during the evolution of solar type IV bursts have been observed by Yunnan Radio Telescope, Trieste Radio Telescope and IZMIRAN dynamic spectrometer. The envelope of these quasi-period modulational fine structures have a soliton pattern, so it is called an envelope soliton-like fine structure. A modulational instability model of electromagnetic wave has been adopted here. It is found that the longitudinal modulational instability can occur only in the solar coronal region of low magnetic field and high temperature, as well as high density plasma, which will give rise to the envelope soliton-like fine structures in the solar metric and decimetric radio emission. The propagation effects of envelope soliton-like fine structure from corona to the observer on the Earth have been briefly considered. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Modulational instability of dust ion acoustic waves in dusty plasmas with superthermal electrons

The propagation of dust ion acoustic waves is studied in plasmas composed of superthermal distributed electrons and stationary dust particles. The nonlinear Schrödinger equation is derived using the reductive perturbation technique and the modulational instability of dust ion acoustic waves is analyzed. Parametric investigations indicate that the presence of superthermal distributed electrons significantly modify the modulational instability and its growth rate. The effect of particle relative density on the wave characters is also investigated.     

Relativistic effects on parallel whistler-mode propagation and instability

Relativistic effects on parallel whistler-mode propagation and instability are considered analytically in some limiting cases relevant to magnetospheric and/or astrophysical conditions. The corresponding wave dispersion equation for a weakly relativistic anisotropic plasma is expressed in terms of generalized Shkarofsky functions. Asymptotic presentation of these functions is found in the limit of large wave refractive indices. Based on this presentation, a new analytical expression for whistler-mode refractive index is obtained and analysed. It is pointed out that relativistic effects increase the value of anisotropy above which the waves are unstable, in agreement with the results of the earlier numerical analysis. This increase is particularly important for whistler-mode propagation in a rarefied, hot plasma but could be potentially observed in the magnetosphere of the Earth in the region outside the plasmasphere.     

On the modulational instability of electrostatic ion cyclotron waves

The instability of electrostatic ion cyclotron waves to low frequency density modulations is considered and nonlinear equations are derived which describe its development in terms of a coherent four wave interaction. A dispersion relation for the linear phase of the instability is obtained and threshold conditions for marginal stability determined. It is shown, using data from recent optical observations, that the conditions necessary for the instability to occur in the auroral plasma would probably be satisfied and that modulational frequencies in agreement with the observations are obtained for plausible wave amplitudes. The nonlinear development of the instability is then studied and it is shown that substantial modulation can occur. It is suggested therefore that this instability could lead to the development of a strongly turbulent state.     

Modulational instability of finite-amplitude Alfvén waves

A finite-amplitude plane-polarised Alfvén wave is shown to undergo a modulational instability consequent to its trappping in density cavities which are created by the ponderomotive force associated with the Alfvén wave. The instability arises when the density cavity travels at subsonic speeds.     

Parametric Decay of a Circularly Polarized Electromagnetic Wave in an Electron-Positron Magnetized Plasma

We study the parametric decays of an electromagnetic wave propagating along an external magnetic field in an electron-positron plasma. We include weakly relativistic effects on the particle motions in the wave field, and the nonlinear ponderomotive force. We find resonant and nonresonant wave couplings. These include, ordinary decay instabilities, in which the pump wave decays into an electro-acoustic mode and a sideband wave. There are also nonresonant couplings involving two sideband waves, and a nonresonant modulational instability in which the pump wave decays into two sideband modes. Depending on the parameters involved, there is a resonant modulational instability involving a forward propagating electro-acoustic mode and a sideband daughter wave.     

Growth Rates of Envelope Modulations of Electromagnetic Waves in Relativistic Temperature Electron-Positron Plasmas, Stimulated by Weak Or Finite Phonon Damping

We study the modulational instability of an electron-positron plasma with relativistic temperatures and phonon damping. It is shown that when the phonon damping is O(1) or O(), a modulational instability appears even for classical temperatures. When the phonon damping is O(²)), we find that in the non-relativistic limit, previous results are recovered, and for ultrarelativistic temperatures, the instability occurs in a wider band around the relativistic plasma frequency.     

Quasi-linear interaction of whistler-mode waves and nonthermal electrons

In this investigation, we attempt to analyze the quasi-linear cyclotron instability (under the weak turbulence regime) for whistler-mode waves due to pitch angle anisotropy of nonthermal electrons. The motivation of this study is to explain the triggered discrete VLF emissions occurring in the terrestrial magnetosphere. The time evolution of the growth rate and the induced waves spectrum for a loss cone type of nonthermal electrons is analyzed numerically. The diffusion of particles in pitch angles due to quasilinear cyclotron instability is illustrated. It is shown that several major features of triggered VLF emissions can be explained by the stated instability. Some predictions of the theory is given and suggestions for further research are presented.On special leave during the summer of 1971 from the Physics Department, Faculty of Science, University of Hong Kong.     

On the envelope soliton below the H + gyrofrequency in low auroral region

Two envelope soliton events below the H ⁺ gyrofrequency with localized density depletion were discovered in low auroral region (∼ 1760 km)by Freja satellite. These events were correlated in time with the observations of the ratio of oxygen ion density to hydrogen ion density sharp increase and the electrons energization. These envelope solitons have a characteristic frequency at ∼ 180–190 Hz, which are obviously different from the electron-ion lower hybrid wave frequency and the helium ion gyrofrequency in low auroral plasma, but it is close to the resonancefrequency of hydrogen ion-oxygen ion hybrid wave. A modulational instability model of an ion-ion hybrid wave has been discussed here. It is found that the envelope soliton below the H ⁺ gyrofrequency in low auroral region may be generated by this modulational instability on condition that the local oxygen ion density is larger than the local hydrogen ion density. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Modulational instability of a magneto-hydrodynamic jet

The effect of a magnetic field on the nonlinear capillary instability of a fluid jet is examined using the method of multiple scales. It is a well-known result that a sufficiently strong magnetic field can, in the limit of zero viscosity and resistivity, completely suppress the linear capillary instability. It turns out that while the nonlinear (modulational) instability cannot be completely suppressed, the presence of a magnetic field does greatly increase the range of stable wave numbers.     

空间飞行器远尾区内等离子体与场的相互作用

从理论上得到一组在考虑非静态极限下描述空间飞行器远尾区内等离子体与场之间的非稳态非线性相互作用耦合方程，并对其进行数值解，通过来用数值模拟计算方法，表明由于高频包络场的调制不稳定性，会产生密度空腔和电磁孤波，这对探测隐身飞行器有很重要的意义．     

OBLIQUE EMISSION OF WHISTLER-MODE WAVES AROUND INTERPLANETARY SHOCKS

We present a study of whistler-mode wave generation and wave particle interaction in the vicinity of interplanetary shocks as observed by the Ulysses spacecraft. Generally the whistler-mode waves (measured in the frequency range 0.22–448 Hz) are observed downstream of the shocks where they persist for some hours. From the electron distribution functions (EDF) in the energy range 1.6 to 862 eV measured by the spacecraft, we compute the wave growth rate of the electromagnetic electron cyclotron and Landau instabilities for the case of oblique propagation of the waves with respect to the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) B. In general, in agreement with the wave measurements, the instability grows mostly downstream of the shock fronts. Following the wave activity, velocity space diffusion of the electrons results in a marginally stable state with some sporadic fluctuations.     

Modulational instability of ion-acoustic wave packets in quantum pair-ion plasmas

Amplitude modulation of quantum ion-acoustic waves (QIAWs) in a quantum electron-pair-ion plasma is studied. It is shown that the quantum coupling parameter H (being the ratio of the plasmonic energy density to the Fermi energy) is ultimate responsible for the modulational stability of QIAW packets, without which the wave becomes modulational unstable. New regimes for the modulational stability (MS) and instability (MI) are obtained in terms of H and the positive to negative ion density ratio β. The growth rate of MI is obtained, the maximum value of which increases with β and decreases with H. The results could be important for understanding the origin of modulated QIAW packets in the environments of dense astrophysical objects, laboratory negative ion plasmas as well as for the next generation laser solid density plasma experiments.     

Envelope solitons and their modulational instability in dusty plasmas with two-temperature superthermal electrons

The modified ion-acoustic envelope solitons and their modulational instability in a multi-component unmagnetized plasma (consisting of negatively charged immobile dusts, inertial ions and superthermal electrons of two distinct temperatures) are theoretically investigated. A multiple scale (in space and time) perturbation technique is used to derive the cubic nonlinear Schrödinger equation (which describes the evolution of a slowly varying wave envelope with space and time). It is observed that the plasma system under consideration supports two types (bright and dark) envelope solitons. It is also found that the dark (bright) envelope solitons are modulationally stable (unstable). The variation of the growth rate of the unstable bright envelope solitons with various plasma parameters (e.g. wave number, temperature of superthermal electrons, etc.) are found to be significant. The modulational instability criterions of the modified ion-acoustic envelope solitons are also seen to be influenced due to the variation of the intrinsic plasma parameters. The implications of the results of this theoretical investigations in some space plasma systems (viz. Saturn’s magnetosphere) are briefly mentioned.     

Dust-ion acoustic waves modulation in dusty plasmas with nonextensive electrons

The nonlinear amplitude modulation of dust-ion acoustic wave (DIAW) is studied in the presence of nonextensive distributed electrons in dusty plasmas with stationary dust particles. Using the reductive perturbation method (RPM), the nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE) which governs the modulational instability (MI) of the DIAWs is obtained. Modulational instability regions and the growth rate of nonlinear waves are discussed. It is shown that the wave characters are affected by the value of nonextensive parameter and also relative density of plasma constituents.     

Nonlinear Alfvén wave modulation in the solar atmosphere

Nonlinear interaction of finite-amplitude Alfvén waves with non-resonant finite-frequency electrostatic and stationary electromagnetic perturbations is considered. This interaction is governed by a pair of coupled equations consisting of nonlinear Schrödinger equation for the Alfvén wave envelope and an equation for the plasma slow response that is driven by the ponderomotive force of the Alfvén wave packets. The modulational instability of a constant amplitude Alfvén pump is investigated and some new results for the growth rate of the instability are presented. It is found that a possible stationary state of the modulated Alfvén wave packets could lead to localized structures. The relevance of our investigation to the solar atmosphere is discussed.     

Modulational instability of fast magnetosonic waves emitted from a pinching current sheet

We investigate how fast magnetosonic waves can be produced from a pinching current sheet, by using 3-D MHD code. We show that after magnetic pinch of the current sheet due to pressure imbalance, the current sheet begins to expand by an excess of plasma pressure at the center of the current sheet. During the expansion phase, strong fast magnetosonic waves can be created at the steep region of the density gradient and propagate away from the current sheet. It is shown that the fast magnetosonic waves become unstable against modulational instability, as found by Sakai (1983). After the emission of the fast magnetosonic waves, the current sheet will relax to a new equilibrium state, where the current sheet can be heated by adiabatic compression. The emission processes of the fast magnetosonic waves from the current sheet, as well as the modulational instability of these waves that can lead to effective plasma heating through the Landau damping of the slow waves, are important for an understanding of coronal heating and coronal transient brightening.     

Modulational instability of electron-acoustic waves in relativistically degenerate quantum plasma

Using the Quantum hydrodynamic (QHD) model the modulational instability of electron-acoustic waves (EAWs) has been examined theoretically by deriving a nonlinear Schrodinger equation in a two-electron-populated relativistically degenerate super dense plasma. Through numerical analysis it is shown that the relativistic degeneracy parameter significantly influence the stability conditions and the formation and properties of the envelop solitons.