Anomalous high-frequency conductivity of a turbulent plasma

Abstract

In this work we evaluate the anomalous high-frequency conductivity arising from particle—wave interactions in a multi-species turbulent plasma with no external magnetic field. The calculation is made by using the full three-dimensional model of the quasi-linear theory of plasma turbulence for a wide range of frequencies embracing the electron plasma frequency. It is found that the conductivity tensor is anisotropic and slowly time dependent; this reflects the slow time dependence and the anisotropic character of the distribution functions of the velocities of the particles. It is also found that there is a very narrow range of frequencies (just above the electron plasma frequency) for which the components of the conductivity tensor are negative. The particular case of the two- stream instability is examined in detail. The anisotropic character of the components of the conductivity tensor and their dependence on the frequency of the external field is studied. Finally some possible means for an experimental check of our calculations are suggested.