Dispersion relations are calculated for drift waves in an inhomogeneous plasma with an oscillatory electric field which is applied perpendicular to the constant magnetic field. Use is made of the Vlasov equation to calculate drift wave frequencies and growth rates. Electron currents, density, and temperature gradients and finite/infinitesimal ion gyroradius are included. It is determined that substantial reduction in the drift wave growth rate can be achieved using the ac electric field when its frequency is equal approximately to either the ion or electron cyclotron frequency.
A power series expansion of the harmonic expansion coefficients of Margenau and Hartman is introduced. In principle all the harmonic coefficients may be computed using the expansion. The expansion parameter is the fraction of energy lost per collision or equivalently the electric field strength. By way of example the third and fifth harmonic electric current densities in a plasma are computed.
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