Engineering-Physics Space Plasma Seminar

ZOOM LINK
Meeting ID: 927 5142 0885
Passcode: Plasma

The quasilinear kinetic theory is the simplest nonlinear theory that describes the excitation and saturation of plasma instabilities. The quasilinear kinetic equation is also widely used in the radiation belt context for relativistic electron acceleration, transport, and loss processes. In this talk the basic principles of quasilinear kinetic theory that includes the textbook bump-on-tail instability and velocity plateau formation of electron beams will be briefly reviewed for pedagogic purposes, and the recent development of quasilinear analysis that involves the solar wind temperature anisotropy instabilities as well as the planetary wave analysis will be discussed.

In particular, the quasilinear analysis based on the assumed time-dependent velocity distribution function, called the velocity-moment based quasilinear theory, will be discussed, which proved to be very useful in various applications. The validation of the method against the full particle-in-cell simulation shows that the method, if used under careful consideration, can be a powerful theoretical research tool. Specific applications will include the solar wind modeling, planetary and auroral radio wave analysis, and solar radio bursts.

About the Speaker(s)

Peter Yoon
U Maryland

Contact

For more information, contact Tressena Manning at tressena.a.manning@dartmouth.edu or +1 (603) 646-2854.