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Nonlinear coupling of a superluminal electromagnetic wave to a relativistic electron beam

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 March 2009

N. Bisai
Affiliation:
Institute for plasma Research, Bhat, Gandhinagar 382424, India
A. Sen
Affiliation:
Institute for plasma Research, Bhat, Gandhinagar 382424, India
K. K. Jain
Affiliation:
Institute for plasma Research, Bhat, Gandhinagar 382424, India

Abstract

The nonlinear propagation of a superluminal, linearly polarized electromagnetic wave in the presence of a relativistic cold electron beam is investigated. At large amplitudes the wave couples to the electron-beam plasma mode owing to two important nonlinear effects, namely the relativistic variation of the electron mass and the excitation of longitudinal space charge fields by strong v × B forces. The nonlinear propagation equations for the coupled electromagnetic and longitudinal waves are derived within the context of a relativistic cold-fluid model. Nonlinear travelling-wave solutions are sought to describe the saturated state of the coupled system. Using Hamiltonian techniques, a wide variety of solutions are obtained and their characteristics discussed.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

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