Electromagnetic Gain Mechanisms in Homogeneous Plasmas.
Abstract
A study of the flow of time varying electromagnetic energy is presented which indicates that a wide variety of energy gain mechanisms exist within homogeneous plasmas; the required energy is supplied by the static currents and magnetic fields existing in the plasma. The specific case of two independent electromagnetic waves interacting within a homogeneous plasma is studied in great detail, and general conditions are derived, in terms of the propagation constants of such waves, that enables one to determine when energy gain (or activity) will be achieved. This study also leads to certain conclusions that are somewhat novel: namely, that gain is possible with certain waves even though the waves are individually stable (both temporally and spatially); a gain mechanism exists that is the result of a static magnetic field alone (no static current flow is required); and finally, that certain gain mechanisms exist at all frequencies and for all nonzero values of static fields, i.e., these mechanisms have no thresholds. The paper concludes with a discussion of specific gain mechanisms in solid-state or collision-dominated plasmas. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0726272
Entities
People
- M. R. Wohlers
Organizations
- Grumman