Congruent reduction and mode conversion in 4-dimensional plasmas
Standard eikonal theory reduces, to N = 1, the order of the system of equations underlying wave propagation in inhomogeneous plasmas. The condition for this remarkable reducibility is that only one eigenvalue of the unreduced N x N dispersion matrix D(k,x) vansihes at a time. If, however, two or more eigenvalues of D become simultaneously small, the geometric optics reduction scheme becomes singular. These regions are associated with linear mode conversion, and are described by higher order systems. We develop a new reduction scheme based on congruent transformations of D, and show that in ''degenerate'' plasma regions, a partial reduction of order is possible. The method comprises a constructive step-by-step procedure, which, in the most frequent (doubly) degenerate case, yields a second order system, describing the pairwise mode conversion problem, the solution of which in general geometry has been found recently.
- Research Organization:
- LBL and Physics Department, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
- OSTI ID:
- 6988122
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-870570-; TRN: 88-027507
- Journal Information:
- AIP Conf. Proc.; (United States), Vol. 159:1; Conference: 7. topical conference on applications of radio-frequency power to plasmas, Kissimmee, FL, USA, 4 May 1987
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Congruent reduction and mode conversion in 4-dimensional plasmas
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