Kinetic Nonlinearities in Nonuniform Plasmas
Abstract
The properties of basic kinetic nonlinearities (e.g., particle trapping, nonlinear Landau damping etc.) in uniform plasmas are well understood. However, in many problems of current interest, plasma nonuniformity plays an important and fundamental role. Although helpful insight can often be obtained using local, or WKB generalizations of nonlinear phenomena in uniform media, such extrapolations often miss important features. Consequently it is of interest to develop a systematic study of nonlinear phenomena in the context of a well-defined problem in which the intrinsic plasma nonuniformities are retained without undue complexity. Studies of kinetic nonliearities in nonuniform plasmas have been motivated, in large measure, by several experimental observations which have not yet been fully explained quantitatively from first-principles calculations. Prominent among these are issues related to wave generation, possibly by distortions in the electron distribution function. In laser-plasma experiments, an ongoing assessment is being made of anomalies observed in the spectral features of Raman scattering which can not be explained by conventional parametric instability theories.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA221918
Entities
People
- George J. Morales
- J. E. Maggs
Organizations
- University of California, Los Angeles