Backward waves in the nonlinear regime of the Buneman instability

TL;DR

This paper reports the observation and explanation of backward waves in the nonlinear regime of the Buneman instability, highlighting their origin from modified electron velocity distributions and linear stability analysis.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed analysis linking backward wave excitation to nonlinear electron distribution modifications in Buneman instability.

Findings

Backward waves propagate opposite to electron drift.

Electron distribution develops a wide plateau with electron holes.

Backward waves are linked to marginally stable modes in linear theory.

Abstract

Observation of low- and high-frequency backward waves in the nonlinear regime of the Buneman instability is reported. Intense low-frequency backward waves propagating in the direction opposite to the electron drift (with respect to the ion population) of ions and electrons are found. The excitation of these waves is explained based on the linear theory for the stability of the electron velocity distribution function that is modified by nonlinear effects. In the nonlinear regime, the electron distribution exhibits a wide plateau formed by electron hole trapping and extends into the negative velocity region. It is shown that within the linear approach, the backward waves correspond to the weakly unstable or marginally stable modes generated by the large population of particles with negative velocities.