The Penrose criterion in Plasma Physics is a criterion for the kinetic stability of a plasma with a given velocity-space distribution function. This criterion can be used to determine that all so-called "single-humped" distributions (those with a single maximum), are kinetically stable. It is not employed in accounting for the electric field.[1]

References

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  1. ^ Beving, L. P.; Hopkins, M. M.; Baalrud, S. D. (November 2023). "Electron-field instability: Excitation of electron plasma waves by an electric field". Physics of Plasmas. 30 (11). Bibcode:2023PhPl...30k2105B. doi:10.1063/5.0156041.