Electromagnetic Instabilities in an Inhomogeneous Plasma

Electromagnetic Instabilities in an Inhomogeneous Plasma presents a comprehensive survey of the theory of electromagnetic instabilities in a magnetized inhomogeneous plasma, mainly in the classical approximation of straight and parallel magnetic field lines as well as magnetic-field curvature effects. Using his expertise and experience, the author skillfully guides the reader through the theory; presenting the most important results from leading Russian and Western scientists. This timely and important work will enable new or experienced researchers to improve their knowledge of this important field of plasma research.
Table of Contents

General dispersion relation for a collisionless inhomogeneous plasma. Simplified dispersion relations. Inertial magneto-drift instabilities in a collisionless finite-B plasma. Alfven magneto-drift instabilities in a finite-B plasma. Low-frequency instabilities in a two-energy component plasma. Electromagnetic instabilities in a strongly inhomogeneous plasma. Description of perturbations in a plasma with transverse current. Transverse-current-drive instabilities. Hydrodynamic description of collisional finite-B plasma perturbations. Starting equations for basic types of hydrodynamic perturbations. Instabilities in a collisional finite-B plasma. Instabilities in force-free and almost force-free high-B plasmas. Electromagnetic Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities. Electromagnetic drift instabilities in a low-B plasma. Allowance for magnetic-field curvature effects. Magnetic-field curvature effects in kinetic and two-fluid instabilities. References. Index.