Electron Bernstein wave excitation by counterpropagating electromagnetic waves in a plasma

Journal Article · Sat Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 2005 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2109447· OSTI ID:20702246

Kumar, Asheel; Tripathi, V K ^[1]

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1. Physics Department, Allahabad University, Allahabad-211002 (India)

Two high-power counterpropagating electromagnetic waves ({omega}{sub 1},k{sub 1}x) and ({omega}{sub 2},-k{sub 2}x) in a low-density plasma in the presence of a static magnetic field B{sub s}z, drive an electron Bernstein wave at the beat frequency {omega}={omega}{sub 1}-{omega}{sub 2} and k=(k{sub 1}+k{sub 2})x, when {omega}{approx}{omega}{sub c}<<{omega}{sub 1},{omega}{sub 2} and k{rho}{>=}1, where {omega}{sub c} is the electron cyclotron frequency and {rho} is the Larmor radius. The electromagnetic waves exert a ponderomotive force on the electrons and resonantly drive the Bernstein mode({omega},k). When the pump waves have finite z extent, the Bernstein wave has an effective k{sub z} and a component of group velocity in the direction of the magnetic field, leaking it out of the interaction region, limiting the level of the Bernstein mode. Plasma inhomogeneity also introduces convection losses. However, the electron Bernstein mode potential could still be significantly greater than the ponderomotive potential.

• OSTI ID: 20702246
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 12; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
BERNSTEIN MODE
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EXCITATION
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
PLASMA WAVES
PONDEROMOTIVE FORCE
WAVE PROPAGATION