Trivelpiece–Gould modes and low-frequency electron–ion instability of non-neutral plasma

Abstract

The frequency spectra of the Trivelpiece–Gould modes of a waveguide partially filled with non-neutral plasma are determined numerically by solving the dispersion equation. The modes having azimuthal number $m = 1$ are considered. The results are presented for the entire acceptable range of electron densities, magnetic field strengths, for different values of the charge neutralization coefficient. The Cherenkov resonance condition of an ion with a diocotron mode having a finite value of the longitudinal wave vector was studied. The characteristics of resonant low-frequency electron–ion instability caused by relative azimuth motion of electrons and ions in crossed fields and by the anisotropy of the distribution function of ions are discussed. Ions are created by ionization of residual gas in the plasma volume. Due to the anisotropy, instability occurs not only in the vicinity of the resonance, but also outside it. For typical values of plasma parameters in experiments, estimations of the frequency growth rate are given. A conclusion is drawn that this instability can be the cause of the low-frequency oscillations observed in linear devices with non-neutral plasma produced in an electron beam channel.