Whistler and Alfvén Mode Cyclotron Masers in Space

by V. Y. Trakhtengerts, M. J. Rycroft

Overview

The subject of wave-particle interactions occurring in space plasmas has developed strongly, both observationally and theoretically, since the discovery of the Van Allen radiation belts of charged particles trapped in the Earth’s magnetosphere over forty years ago. These wave-particle interactions are recognized today as being a most important research topic in space plasma physics. This is the first book to provide a full and systematic description of the physical theory of whistler and Alfvén cyclotron masers acting in planetary magnetospheres, and in the Sun’s outer atmosphere. It addresses current research topics by examining significant problems in the subject. It gives sufficient detail on the topic that readers use to apply the methods presented to new problems, helping them with their own research. This book is a valuable reference for researchers and graduate students working in space science, solar-terrestrial physics, plasma physics, and planetary sciences.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521871983
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	11/20/2008
Series:	Cambridge Atmospheric and Space Science Series
Pages:	366
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.80(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Victor Trakhtengerts (1939–2007) was Head of the Sector of Ionospheric and Magnetospheric Physics, at the Institute of Applied Physics, Russian Academy of Science, and Professor of the State University in Nizhny Novgorod, Russian Federation. He was a member of Editorial boards of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy and the Journal of Solar-Terrestrial Physics.

Michael Rycroft is a Visiting Professor at the School of Engineering, Cranfield University, U.K., and at the International Space University in Strasbourg, France. He was Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics from 1989 to 1999 and, since 2002, has been Managing Editor of the overview journal Surveys in Geophysics.

Table of Contents

Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. Basic theory of cyclotron masers (CMs); 3. Linear theory of the cyclotron instability (CI); 4. Backward wave oscillator (BWO) regime in CMs; 5. Nonlinear cyclotron wave-particle interactions for a quasi-monochromatic wave; 6. Nonlinear interaction of quasi-monochromatic whistler mode waves with gyroresonant electrons in an in homogeneous plasma; 7. Wavelet amplification in an inhomogeneous plasma; 8. Quasi-linear theory of cyclotron masers; 9. Nonstationary generation regimes, and modulation effects; 10. ELF/VLF noise-like emissions and electrons in the Earth's radiation belts; 11. Generation of discrete ELF/VLF whistler mode emissions; 12. Cyclotron instability of the proton radiation belts; 13. Cyclotron masers elsewhere in the solar system and in laboratory plasma devices; Epilogue; Glossary of terms; List of acronyms; References; Index.