Parametric decay in inhomogeneous plasma

Journal Article · Tue Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · Sov. J. Plasma Phys. (Engl. Transl.); (United States)

OSTI ID:7297268

Silin, V P; Starodub, A N

It is shown that an absolute instability arising from the spatial variation of the pump wave can occur in an inhomogeneous plasma. An analysis is carried out for the example of the parametric conversion of a pump wave into a plasma wave and an ion-acoustic wave. In this instability, the perturbations whose amplitudes grow over time are confined to the regions in which the pump field has extrema. Perturbations of two types grow in the plasma; the thresholds for the excitation of these perturbations are determined. Under conditions of interest for controlled fusion reactions caused by laser irradiation of solid targets, the instability threshold is governed substantially by the plasma inhomogeneity. This threshold is much higher than that in a homogeneous plasma. The effect of pump absorption on the parametric decay is analyzed.

• Research Organization: P. N. Lebedev Physics Institute, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow
• OSTI ID: 7297268
• Journal Information: Sov. J. Plasma Phys. (Engl. Transl.); (United States), Journal Name: Sov. J. Plasma Phys. (Engl. Transl.); (United States) Vol. 3:2; ISSN SJPPD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700107* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Instabilities
ABSOLUTE INSTABILITIES
AIRY FUNCTIONS
CONVECTIVE INSTABILITIES
DECAY INSTABILITY
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FUNCTIONS
IMPLOSIONS
INHOMOGENEOUS PLASMA
INSTABILITY
LANGMUIR FREQUENCY
LASER IMPLOSIONS
LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA
PARAMETRIC INSTABILITIES
PLASMA
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MACROINSTABILITIES
RADIATIONS
TURBULENCE