Finite beta drift Alfven instability

Abstract

We propose a means by which the theory of drift instabilities can be extended to plasmas of arbitrary beta. We then concentrate on the drift Alfven instability driven by an electron temperature gradient, proposed by Coroniti and Kennel (1970) to be a source of Pi 1 micropulsations on auroral lines of force. Even at relatively low beta the full finite beta theory differs considerably from previous low beta theories and produces better agreement with observation.