Momentum-Exchange Current Drive by Electrostatic Waves in an Unmagnetized Collisionless Plasma

Publication Year
2020

Type

Journal Article
Abstract
For a planar electrostatic wave interacting with a single species in a collisionless plasma, momentum conservation implies current conservation. However, when multiple species interact with the wave, they can exchange momentum, leading to current drive. A simple, general formula for this driven current is derived. As examples, we show how currents can be driven for Langmuir waves in electron-positron-ion plasmas, and for ion-acoustic waves in electron-ion plasmas.
Journal
Physics of Plasmas
Volume
27
Pages
062109
Date Published
jun
ISSN Number
1070-664X