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Mode Conversion and Reflection of Langmuir Waves in an Inhomogeneous Solar Wind

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 March 2013

A. J. Willes  and
Iver H. Cairns
A. J. Willes
Affiliation:
School of Physics, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Iver H. Cairns
Affiliation:
School of Physics, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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Abstract

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Beam-driven Langmuir waves in the solar wind are generated just above the electron plasma frequency, which fluctuates in the inhomogeneous solar wind plasma. Consequently, propagating Langmuir waves encounter regions in which the wave frequency is less than the local plasma frequency, where they can be reflected, mode converted to transverse electromagnetic waves, and trapped in density wells. The aim here is to investigate Langmuir wave reflection and mode conversion at a linear density gradient for typical solar wind parameters. It is shown that higher mode conversion efficiencies are possible than previously calculated, but that mode conversion occurs in a smaller region of parameter space. In addition, the possibility of detecting mode conversion with in situ spacecraft Langmuir wave observations is discussed.

Keywords

plasmasradiation mechanisms: generalscatteringSun: solar windwaves
Type
Research Article
Information
Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia , Volume 18 , Issue 4 , 2001 , pp. 355 - 360
Copyright
Copyright © Astronomical Society of Australia 2001

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