Lower-hybrid drift instability saturation mechanisms in one-dimensional simulations

The linear properties and saturation mechanisms of the lower-hybrid drift instability have been investigated using a one-dimensional particle-hybrid simulation. For low drift velocities (vd≪vti), ion trapping and current relaxation (vd→0) are competing processes for stabilization. If the relative electron–ion drift velocity is kept constant in time, ion trapping causes the end of instability growth; if this drift is allowed to decrease consistent with momentum balance, then saturation is due to current relaxation.