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Simulation and Quasi‐Linear Theory of Whistler Anisotropy Instability
Author(s) -
Lee SangYun,
Lee Ensang,
Seough Jungjoon,
Lee Junggi,
Hwang Junga,
Lee JaeJin,
Cho KyungSuk,
Yoon Peter H.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: space physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2169-9402
pISSN - 2169-9380
DOI - 10.1029/2017ja024960
Subject(s) - whistler , physics , instability , solar wind , computational physics , anisotropy , space physics , context (archaeology) , distribution function , electron , particle in cell , earth's magnetic field , classical mechanics , plasma , magnetic field , geophysics , mechanics , quantum mechanics , biology , paleontology
The whistler anisotropy (or electromagnetic electron cyclotron) instability may be operative in many geomagnetic and heliospherical environments, including the radiation belt, solar wind, and the solar corona. The present investigation carries out a comparative analysis between the two‐dimensional particle‐in‐cell simulation of weakly growing whistler anisotropy instability and the velocity moment‐based two‐dimensional quasi‐linear theory under the assumption of bi‐Maxwellian electron distribution function. It is shown that the simplified quasi‐linear theory provides a qualitative agreement with the more rigorous particle‐in‐cell simulation, but some discrepancies are also found. Possible causes for the differences in either method are discussed, and future improvements on the theory are suggested. Potential applicability of the present finding in the context of the space and astrophysics is discussed.