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The interaction of transverse electromagnetic plane waves and a moving ionizing shock wave in the presence of a magnetic field

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 March 2006

W. F. Hughes  and
F. J. Young
W. F. Hughes
Affiliation:
Carnegie Institute of Technology, Pittsburgh, U.S.A.
F. J. Young
Affiliation:
Carnegie Institute of Technology, Pittsburgh, U.S.A.
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Abstract

Propagation of a transverse electromagnetic wave along a d.c. magnetic field and interaction with a moving shock wave is investigated. The direction of propagation is normal to the shock front. Solutions to electromagnetic fields, gas velocities and Doppler shifts in frequency are found in both the ionized and un-ionized gases. A frequency is obtained at which electromagnetic reflexion from the shock front is minimized. In the ionized gas behind the shock front a fast and a slow electromagnetic wave result. By adjusting the shock velocity the frequency of the slow wave can be either raised or lowered. This frequency change, however, is not the Doppler shift and, consequently, can be made much larger than the Doppler shifts encountered at non-relativistic velocities. The slow wave attenuates much less than the ordinary fast wave, and applications to diagnostics and communications through plasmas and laser-beam frequency multiplication may be possible.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 19 , Issue 1 , May 1964 , pp. 11 - 20
Copyright
© 1964 Cambridge University Press

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