The electron beam instability and turbulence theories

Extensions and practical applications of recent observations of electron beam-plasma interactions are investigated for the range of turbulence theories, extending from quasi-linear to strong turbulence theory, which have been developed on the basis of the Langmuir-wave excitation model. Electron foreshock observations have indicated that linear instability theory must encompass the excitation of waves whose frequencies are substantially different from those of the plasma frequency; the point of departure for such extensions should be a quantitative test of existing theories, and particle simulations conducive to such testing are presented. A step-by-step addition of physical considerations is used in such simulation studies to differentiate among nonlinear turbulence effects. 32 refs