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Magneto‐Modulational Instability in Relativistic Plasmas
Author(s) -
Liu Y.,
Liu S. Q.,
Li X. Q.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
contributions to plasma physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.531
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1521-3986
pISSN - 0863-1042
DOI - 10.1002/ctpp.201000011
Subject(s) - physics , modulational instability , electron , quantum electrodynamics , magnetic field , plasma , instability , nonlinear system , condensed matter physics , quantum mechanics
The behavior of magnetic fields generated by high frequency transverse plasmons in relativistic plasmas can be described by a set of nonlinear coupling equations, which has considered the nonlinear wave–wave, wave– particle interactions and the relativistic effects of electrons. Modulational instability of the spontaneous magnetic fields is investigated on the basis of the nonlinear coupling equations. Analytical and numerical results indicate the self‐generated magnetic fields are modulationally unstable and will be localized in a narrow region. The characteristic scale and maximum growth rate of the magnetic fields depend on the average Lorentz factor of electrons and the energy density of transverse plasmons. The relativistic effects of electrons will enhance the self‐focusing of magnetic fields (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)