Broadening of electron cyclotron maser emission lines in a nonuniform magnetic field

The formation of cyclotron maser emission lines in a non-uniform (regular o r random) magnetic field is studied. In the presence of sufficiently small inhomogeneity, the line shape can be described by a broadened Gaussian prof ile. In the case of stronger inhomogeneity, the initial Gaussian profile sp lits into two Gaussian components, which could be observationally perceived as "harmonics." A relation between the distribution of local magnetic trap sizes and the distribution of the spectral widths of solar radio spikes is derived. Possible applications of the results to the interpretation of sol ar radio spikes and related problems are discussed. (C) 2001 MAIK "Nauka/In terperiodica."