Generation of microwave bursts with zebra pattern by nonlinear interaction of Bernstein modes

Abstract

The processes of generation and nonlinear interaction of Bernstein modes are investigated. The physical conditions considered correspond here to the sources of microwave bursts with a zebra pattern. It is shown that the simultaneous generation of plasma waves corresponding to several cyclotron harmonics is possible under these conditions. Nonlinear coupling of plasma waves results in formation of a zebra pattern with a frequency separation between the adjacent stripes close to the electron cyclotron frequency. The emission is confined in the narrow angle interval near the transversal (relative to the magnetic field) propagation direction. Polarization of emission in this process corresponds to the extraordinary wave, and the polarization degree reaches 100%.