Three‐dimensional simulation of whistler mode excited by the Spacelab 2 electron beam

During the Spacelab 2 mission, while an electron beam was being ejected from the shuttle, the Plasma Diagnostics Package (PDP) detected a clear funnel‐shaped emission that is believed to be caused by whistler‐mode emission from the electron beam. In order to understand the mechanism of this emission, simulations with a three‐dimensional partially magnetostatic code have been performed. The simulation results show that whistler‐mode and lower hybrid waves are excited by the electron beam, which is initially localized in the column in the three‐dimensional simulation system, and that they propagate away from the beam. The wave spectra of the electric and magnetic fields diagnosed at some points show several peaks due to the waves excited by the electron beam. The frequency range of these spectra extends from ωpi to beyond ωpe, which is in qualitative agreement with the PDP data. The intense narrowband electrostatic emission near the electron plasma frequency is observed by the simulations. The simulation results show that the beam instability is responsible for the generation mechanism of these emissions.