Ponderomotive ratchet in a uniform magnetic field

Journal Article · Sat Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2005 · Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.72.046602· OSTI ID:20709779

Dodin, I Y; Fisch, N J ^[1]

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1. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, New Jersey 08543 (United States)

We show how a ratchet effect, generally used in systems with periodic potentials, can also be practiced on charged particles by an ac field alone, in a background magnetic field near the cyclotron resonance. The effect relies entirely on the spatial inhomogeneity of the high-frequency drive, which produces a deterministic asymmetric ponderomotive barrier for undamped particles. Such a barrier can reflect particles incident from one side while transmitting those incident from the opposite side, hence acting somewhat like a Maxwell demon. The necessary fields are perhaps most easily realized in a plasma, though the effect is more general.

• OSTI ID: 20709779
• Journal Information: Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics, Vol. 72, Issue 4; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.72.046602; (c) 2005 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1063-651X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ASYMMETRY
CHARGED PARTICLES
CYCLOTRON RESONANCE
MAGNETIC FIELDS
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
PARTICLES
PERIODICITY
PLASMA
PONDEROMOTIVE FORCE
POTENTIALS