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Nonlinear theory of parametric instabilities in plasmas

Journal Article · · Phys. Rev., A; (United States)
The weak plasma turbulence theory recently formulated by one of us is applied to parametrically unstable plasmas. A dispersion relation for normal modes of the turbulent plasma is derived. The condition of marginal stability of these modes provides a nonlinear equation describing the quasistationary turbulent spectrum. Two classes of nonlinearities arise: (i) Diagonal corrections, similar to the renormalized frequencies and damping rates of usual weak turbulence theory but which must be computed using the frequencies of the coupled parametric modes, and (ii) coupling saturation corrections which are renormalized mode coupling coefficients related to spectral cross coupling coefficients such as < E (k, ..omega..) E (k - k/sub 0/, ..omega.. - ..omega../sub 0/) >. The coupling saturation theory is applied to the electron-electron decay instability (..omega.. approx. 2..omega../sub p//sub e/) and strongly inhibits the conversion of pump radiation into plasma waves. (AIP)
Research Organization:
Theoretical Division, Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, University of California, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87544
OSTI ID:
7348660
Journal Information:
Phys. Rev., A; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev., A; (United States) Vol. 14:5; ISSN PLRAA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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