Brief Communication: Weibel, Firehose and Mirror mode relations

Treumann, R. A. and Baumjohann, W. (2014): Brief Communication: Weibel, Firehose and Mirror mode relations. In: Nonlinear Processes in Geophysics, Vol. 21, No. 1: pp. 143-148

Abstract

Excitation of Weibel magnetic fields in an initially non-magnetized though anisotropic plasma may trigger other low-frequency instabilities fed by pressure anisotropy. It is shown that under Weibel-like stable conditions the Weibel-like thermal fluctuation magnetic field allows for restricted Firehose-mode growth. In addition, low-frequency Whistlers can also propagate in the plasma under certain anisotropic conditions. When the Weibel-like mode becomes unstable, Firehose instability ceases but Mirror modes take over. This will cause bubble structures in the Weibel-like field in addition to filamentation.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Geosciences > Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
• Subjects: 500 Science > 550 Earth sciences and geology
• ISSN: 1023-5809
• Language: English