ion cyclotron wave

physics

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June 29, 2026

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An ion cyclotron wave is a type of wave that can propagate in a plasma. Plasmas are ionized gases where collective interactions, influenced by electric and magnetic fields, are significant.1

In a plasma, waves can arise from the interplay of charged particles. For instance, an ion acoustic wave forms when electrons and ions separate due to their mass difference, creating an electric field that pulls them back together.1

At higher frequencies, the behavior of ions and electrons becomes distinct, leading to variations in wave velocity. The ion cyclotron wave is one such phenomenon, occurring at frequencies between the ion and electron gyrofrequencies. These waves are associated with cyclotron resonances, where particles synchronize with the wave at specific frequencies.1

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plasma
Higher frequency waves
…(called the electron cyclotron and ion cyclotron waves, respectively) cause electron and cyclotron resonances (synchronization) at the appropriate resonance frequencies. Beyond these resonances, transverse wave propagation does not occur at all until frequencies comparable to and above the plasma frequency are reached.
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…(called the electron cyclotron and ion cyclotron waves, respectively) cause electron and cyclotron resonances (synchronization) at the appropriate resonance frequencies. Beyond these resonances, transverse wave propagation does not occur at all until frequencies comparable to and above the plasma frequency are reached.
Read More