Quasi‐linear stabilization of lower‐hybrid‐drift instability

The quasi‐linear evolution of the lower‐hybrid‐drift instability is investigated for cross‐field current velocities less than the ion thermal velocity (Vd<vi). It is shown that current relaxation (Vd→0) and plateau formation (∂Fi/∂vy→0) in the ion velocity distribution are generally competing processes for stabilization. A detailed analysis of the energetics of the system is utilized to estimate the saturation level Es=FdkyEky (t→∞) of the turbulent field fuctuations.