Electromagnetic beam modes driven by anisotropic electron streams

Abstract

A theory is presented which provides an explanation for recent laboratory observations of a 'new electromagnetic' mode in a non-Maxwellian high-beta plasma' and suggests a likely relevance of these modes to space plasmas. Unstable parallel-propagating waves, which can be beam modes or whistlers, depending mainly on the degree of velocity anisotropy in a weak electron beam, are found. In the beam-mode limit relevant to the experiment, this is a kinetic Weibel instability, enhanced by a parallel magnetic field. The frequency of the mode can be above or below the electron cyclotron frequency.