Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 February 2009
We reconsider the theory for three-wave interactions in cold plasmas. In particular, we demonstrate that previously overlooked formulations of the general theory are highly useful when deriving concrete expressions for specific cases. We also point out that many previous results deduced directly from the basic plasma equations contain inappropriate approximations leading to unphysical results. Finally, generalizations to more elaborate plasma models containing, for example, kinetic effects are given.