Steady-state solutions for relativistically strong electromagnetic waves in plasmas

Journal Article · Wed Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1973 · Phys. Fluids, v. 16, no. 8, pp. 1277-1288

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1694509· OSTI ID:4413131

Max, C E

New steady-state solutions are derived which describe electromagnetic waves strong enough to make plasma ions and electrons relativistic. A two-fluid model is used throughout. The following solutions are studied: (1) Linearly polarized waves with phase velocity much greater than c; (2) arbitrarily polarized waves with phase velocity near c, in a cold uniform plasma: (3) circularly polarized waves in a uniform plasma characterized by a scalar pressure tensor. All of these waves are capable of propagating in normally overdense plasmas, due to nonlinearities introduced by relativisitic effects. The propagation of relalivistically strong waves in a density gradient is examined, for the example of a circularly polarized wave strong enough to make electrons but not ions relativistic. It is shown that such a wave propagates at constant energy flux despite the nonlinearity of the system. However, nonlinear effects can greatly increase the maximum plasma density at which a relativistically strong wave can propagate. Applications to laser-plasma interactions and to pulsar environments are discussed. (auth)

• Research Organization: Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08540
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-29-004128
• OSTI ID: 4413131
• Journal Information: Phys. Fluids, v. 16, no. 8, pp. 1277-1288, Journal Name: Phys. Fluids, v. 16, no. 8, pp. 1277-1288; ISSN PFLDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*PLASMA-- ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRONS
IONS
N70100* --Physics--Controlled Thermonuclear Research-- Confinement & Heating
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
RELATIVITY THEORY