Anomalous absorption of electromagnetic waves in a randomly inhomogeneous collisionless magnetoactive plasma

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · Sov. Phys. - JETP (Engl. Transl.); (United States)

OSTI ID:7081586

Ryzhov, Y A

The mechanism whereby normal waves lose energy in a magnetoactive collisionless plasma is considered; this mechanism is connected with excitation of normal scattered waves under conditions when their refractive indices can be infinite. Excitation of quasilongitudinal waves near the resonance directions is effected by the scattering of the waves from the inhomogeneities of the plasma electron density. The case u=..omega../sub H//sup 2//..omega../sup 2/<1, when the extraordinary wave is resonant, is analyzed in the greater detail. This case is of importance for wave propagation in the ionosphere and can be invoked to explain the anomalous absorption of ordinary waves in the ionosphere regions adjacent to the reflection point. A comparative analysis is presented of absorption due to different types of inhomogeneities (isotropic small-scale inhomogeneities and large-scale inhomogeneities elongated along the magnetic field). It is shown that at propagation angles chi close to zero, the integral absorption due to different types of inhomogeneities is the same, whereas as chiapprox...pi../2, only small-scale inhomogeneities are significant. The considered mechanism of wave absorption in a collisionless plasma with fluctuations of the electron density can be used to heat a laboratory plasma by a high-frequency electromagnetic field.

• Research Organization: Gor'kii Radiophysics Research Institute
• OSTI ID: 7081586
• Journal Information: Sov. Phys. - JETP (Engl. Transl.); (United States), Journal Name: Sov. Phys. - JETP (Engl. Transl.); (United States) Vol. 45:1; ISSN SPHJA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700108* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Wave Phenomena
ABSORPTION
COLLISIONLESS PLASMA
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRON DENSITY
FLUCTUATIONS
INHOMOGENEOUS PLASMA
PLASMA
RADIATIONS
VARIATIONS