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Title: Density steepening formation in the interaction of microwave field with a plasma

Journal Article · · Physics of Plasmas
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2727483· OSTI ID:20974964
;  [1]
  1. Laser-Plasma Research Institute of Shahid Beheshti University, Evin, 1983963113 Tehran (Iran, Islamic Republic of) and Department of Physics and Laser-Plasma Research Institute of Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran (Iran, Islamic Republic of)

A modification of the electron density distribution of an unmagnetized plasma by the ponderomotive force of high-power microwave propagating into the plasma is studied. Using the Maxwell and fluid equations, nonlinear differential and integral equations for the electric field are obtained. The solution of these nonlinear equations shows that the profiles of the electric and magnetic field depart slightly from a sinusoidal shape, the amplitude of oscillations decreases in the plasma, and these oscillations become lengthened. Also, the period of oscillations decreases by increasing the microwave energy flux and the electron density becomes highly steepened for high microwave energy flux. Furthermore, the axial density profile shows a stationary density modulation that is phase-shifted with respect to the wave amplitude. This density modulation increases with the microwave energy flux.

OSTI ID:
20974964
Journal Information:
Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 14, Issue 5; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.2727483; (c) 2007 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English