ANALYTICAL DESCRIPTION OF LOW-FREQUENCY ELECTRON-DENSITY AND TEMPERATURE OSCILLATIONS

Low-frequency density and temperature oscillations (omega much less th an nu(j), omega(cj), where nu(j) is the collision frequency with neutr als and omega(cj) is the cyclotron frequency; j = i, e) observed in ma gnetized radiofrequency-produced plasmas with electron density and tem perature gradients across the magnetic field are analysed using a loca l two-fluid model. This model incorporates the electron energy equatio n. The resulting dispersion relation permits study of the parameter de pendence of the complex angular wave frequency. Instability is found i n the case where the electron density and temperature gradients have o pposite signs. This instability is classified as a low-frequency drift wave, and the criteria for its onset are obtained.