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Title: Nonlinear propagation of broadband intense electromagnetic waves in an electron-positron plasma

Journal Article · · Physics of Plasmas
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2242941· OSTI ID:20860202
; ;  [1]
  1. Centre for Nonlinear Physics, Department of Physics, Umeaa University, SE-90187 Umeaa , Sweden and Centre for Fundamental Physics, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon OX11 OQX (United Kingdom)

A kinetic equation describing the nonlinear evolution of intense electromagnetic pulses in electron-positron (e-p) plasmas is presented. The modulational instability is analyzed for a relativistically intense partially coherent pulse, and it is found that the modulational instability is inhibited by the spectral pulse broadening. A numerical study for the one-dimensional kinetic photon equation is presented. Computer simulations reveal a Fermi-Pasta-Ulam-type recurrence phenomenon for localized broadband pulses. The results should be of importance in understanding the nonlinear propagation of broadband intense electromagnetic pulses in e-p plasmas in laser-plasma systems as well as in astrophysical plasma settings.

OSTI ID:
20860202
Journal Information:
Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 13, Issue 8; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.2242941; (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English