Anomalous Resistivity and Level of Turbulence Associated with the Buneman Instability in a Plasma

Abstract

Based on the microscopic theory of transport processes, the Buneman resistivity is calculated to be (4πα⁄\sqrt3ω_p)(m_e⁄2m_i)^1⁄3, where ω_p²=4πne²⁄m_e and α=⟨δn²⟩⁄n². The saturation level of turbulence in the Hamberger-Jancarik experiment is inferred to be α\simeq0.35; a number of possible mechanisms for the saturation are discussed.