Mode conversion and tunneling in an inhomogeneous plasma

Journal Article · Tue Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · Phys. Fluids; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.861812· OSTI ID:7081595

Ngan, Y C; Swanson, D G

A theory is presented describing mode conversion and tunneling in a warm, collisionless, toroidal plasma near the first ion-cyclotron harmonic frequency when the waves are propagating perpendicular to the static magnetic field. The coupling region may be characterized by a fourth-order differential equation with one turning point. Employing the method of Laplace integrals and the method of matched asymptotic expansions, transmission, reflection, and conversion coefficients are calculated assuming a fast wave is incident from either side of the coupling region. For a fast wave incident from the low magnetic field side, transmission, reflection, and conversion occur, while for a fast wave incident from the high magnetic field side, only transmission and conversion occur with no reflection, independent of the thickness of the tunneling layer, which implies complete conversion of the fast wave to the slow wave as the tunneling layer becomes thick. The problem of cavity resonance is discussed.

• Research Organization: Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90007
• OSTI ID: 7081595
• Journal Information: Phys. Fluids; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Fluids; (United States) Vol. 20:11; ISSN PFLDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700108* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Wave Phenomena
ANNULAR SPACE
BERNSTEIN MODE
BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
COLLISIONLESS PLASMA
CONFIGURATION
CONVERSION
COUPLING
CYCLOTRON HARMONICS
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
DISPERSION RELATIONS
EQUATIONS
HARMONICS
INHOMOGENEOUS PLASMA
LAPLACE EQUATION
MAGNETIC FIELDS
OSCILLATION MODES
OSCILLATIONS
PLASMA
REFLECTION
TOROIDAL CONFIGURATION
TRANSMISSION
TUNNEL EFFECT
WAVE PROPAGATION