Potential-Driven Ion Cyclotron Oscillations in a Magnetized Collissionless Plasma

Abstract

2-1/2 dimensional electrostatic particle simulations are performed on ion cyclotron oscillations driven by applying a positive potential to a small electrode in a magnetized collisionless plasma. Ion and electron motions are found to be synchronized with two-dimensional potential oscillations, being consistent with the Sato-Hatakeyama model of “potential-driven” ion cyclotron oscillations. A frequency deviation from the ion cyclotron frequency is explained by introducing a non-uniform electric field across magnetic field lines.