Electrostatic Ion Perturbations in Unmagnetized Plasma Shear Flow

Abstract

The electrostatic perturbations in an unmagnetized, non-isothermal ($T_i{\ll}T_e$) electron-ion plasma shear flow are considered. New physical effects, arising due to the non-normality of linear dynamics, are described. It is shown that the velocity shear induces the extraction of the mean flow energy by the acoustic perturbations (ion-sound waves). The influence of the medium dispersion, rising due to the violation of quasineutrality for perturbations, is examined. It is shown that in the course of the evolution ion-sound waves turn into ion plasma oscillations. New class of nonperiodic, electrostatic perturbations (with vortical motion of ion component), characterized by the intense energy exchange with the mean flow, is also described.