| Abstract: | The general nonlinear equation of the third order in field strength for the lower-hybrid drift waves in inhomogeneous plasma is obtained on the basis of kinetic theory. This equation enables us to describe strong turbulence effects (modulational instability, soliton-like solutions, etc.) as well as weak turbulence effects (decays, scattering). The investigation of the modulational instability of the lower-hybrid drift waves is carried out. It is demonstrated that the development of the lower-hybrid drift wave modulational instability is possible only when the wavevector of the modulational perturbations is less or of the order of the wavevector of the pump wave. The condition on the wave vectors, when the nonlinear response defining the character of the modulational instability is determined by the inhomogeneity effects, is obtained. |
