Persistent subplasma-frequency kinetic electrostatic electron nonlinear waves

Journal Article · Wed Apr 15 04:00:00 EDT 2009 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3094061· OSTI ID:21276975

Johnston, T W ^[1]; Tyshetskiy, Y ^[1]; Ghizzo, A; Bertrand, P ^[2]

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1. INRS-EMT, Varennes, Quebec J3X 1S2 (Canada)
2. LPMIA Universite Henri Poincare, B.P. 239 1-54506 Nancy, cedex France (France)

Driving a one-dimensional collisionless Maxwellian (Vlasov) plasma with a sufficiently strong longitudinal ponderomotive driver for a sufficiently long time results in a self-sustaining nonsinusoidal wave train with well-trapped electrons even for frequencies well below the plasma frequency, i.e., in the plasma wave spectral gap. Typical phase velocities of these waves are somewhat above the electron thermal velocity. This new nonlinear wave is being termed a kinetic electrostatic electron nonlinear (KEEN) wave. The drive duration must exceed the bounce period {tau}{sub B} of the trapped electrons subject to the drive, as calculated from the drive force and the linear plasma response to the drive. For a given wavenumber a wide range of KEEN wave frequencies can be readily excited. The basic KEEN structure is essentially kinetic, with the trapped electron density variation being almost completely shielded by the free electrons, leaving just enough net charge to support the wave.

• OSTI ID: 21276975
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 16; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ELECTRON DENSITY
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
PHASE VELOCITY
PLASMA
PLASMA WAVES
PONDEROMOTIVE FORCE
TRAPPED ELECTRONS
VARIATIONS