Čerenkov emission of whistler waves by electron holes

Abstract: Electron holes are positively charged nonlinear structures in which trapped electrons are supported by a positive electrostatic potential. These structure are regularly observed in space and laboratory plasmas by means of diverging bipolar electric field signatures. Recent observations and simulations have shown that fast moving electron holes can generate electromagnetic whistler waves via Čerenkov emission. The fast moving positive charge correspond to localised currents which can potentially excite waves. The aim of the project is to study both theoretically and numerically the properties leading to the Čerenkov emission of whistler waves by three-dimensional electron holes. In addition, efforts are dedicated to the derivation of a model providing the properties of emitted whistlers. The model is compared with the observational features of electromagnetic whistler waves generated by electron holes.