NONLINEAR PROPAGATION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC ION-CYCLOTRON WAVES IN AN ELECTRON-ION PLASMA IN THE PRESENCE OF ION TEMPERATURE-GRADIENT DRIFT

Nonlinear coupling between the electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves and the background ion-temperature gradient drift modes is investigated i n an electron-ion plasma. This interaction is governed by a system of two coupled equations consisting of a nonlinear Schrodinger equation f or the electromagnetic wave envelopes and a dynamical equation, derive d from the Braginskii's fluid model, for the drift fluctuations. A gen eral dispersion relation for the nonlinear electromagnetic waves is de rived, and modulational (with two branches) and filamentational instab ilities are shown to exist. The nonlinear electromagnetic wave envelop es are also found to have a stationary localized structure. The import ance of our investigation is discusses.