Evolution of a Langmuir wave in a weakly inhomogeneous plasma in a longitudinal electric field

Journal Article · Fri Feb 15 04:00:00 EST 2008 · Plasma Physics Reports

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1134/S1063780X08020025· OSTI ID:22047587

Matveev, A I ^[1]

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1. South Federal University, Institute of Technology (Russian Federation)

The spatial evolution of a Langmuir wave excited by external sources in a weakly inhomogeneous electron plasma in a longitudinal electrostatic field is considered. It is shown that, in a longitudinal electrostatic field, a Langmuir wave can only be amplified in an inhomogeneous plasma provided that the current of trapped electrons exceeds that of untrapped electrons. In this case, as the wave propagates through the inhomogeneous region where its phase velocity increases, some untrapped electrons become trapped in the wave potential wells. As a result, the current of trapped electrons increases and the wave is amplified. Moreover, in the regions where the bulk electrons are localized, the minima of the wave are amplified to a greater extent than its maxima.

• OSTI ID: 22047587
• Journal Information: Plasma Physics Reports, Journal Name: Plasma Physics Reports Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 34; ISSN PPHREM; ISSN 1063-780X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRIC FIELDS
EVOLUTION
INHOMOGENEOUS PLASMA
PHASE VELOCITY
PLASMA WAVES
POTENTIALS
TRAPPED ELECTRONS
TRAPPING