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 (Vdvi). 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.