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Ionospheric accelerator

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2009

T. Tajima
Affiliation:
Institute for Fusion Studies and Department of Physics, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712
W. Horton
Affiliation:
Institute for Fusion Studies and Department of Physics, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712
S. Nishikawa
Affiliation:
School Education Center, University of Tsukuba, Ohtsuka, Tokyo 112Japan
T. Nishikawa
Affiliation:
National Laboratory for High Energy Physics, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305 Japan

Abstract

Ionospheric acceleration of high energy particles by a short wavelength microwave pulse is discussed. The intense electromagnetic waves in an ionospheric (F2) or magnetospheric plasma can be self-trapped above a threshold power. The self-binding property and the consequent self-induced transparency of the triple soliton structure of two electromagnetic waves and a plasma wave allow the propagation of an intense electromagnetic pulse without the severe and wasteful distortion that accompanies low power pulse propagation. The effects of magnetospheric fluctuations on the particle beam transport are considered. The fluctuation-induced transport seems to be within the margin of tolerance for useful beam transport. Orbits of negatively charged particles are stable. While synchrotron radiation loss for electrons is prohibitive, that of muons and antiprotons is negligible. A corresponding terrestrial application is also suggested.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

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