SPECTRAL AND STATISTICAL PROPERTIES OF A 2-FIELD ELECTRON-DRIFT MODEL

The weakly nonlinear theory of two-dimensional electron drift modes is outline and a double energy cascade is demonstrated, due to the prese nce of two rugged invariants. Statistical equilibrium spectra of the f ully and weakly nonlinear systems are calculated using a discrete Four ier mode phase space and Hopf's equation. A Monte Carlo simulation bas ed on the weakly nonlinear theory gives a detailed energy spectrum wit h several similarity ranges, suggesting the existence of an approximat e additional local (in k space) quadratic invariant. The inhomogeneity of the underlying system is reflected by spectral anisotropy. Some ge neral problems of statistical fluid mechanics are discussed.