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arXiv · 1102.0631

Wakefield generation in magnetized plasmas

A. Holkundkar·G. Brodin·M. Marklund
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Abstract

We consider wakefield generation in plasmas by electromagnetic pulses propagating perpendicular to a strong magnetic field, in the regime where the electron cyclotron frequency is equal to or larger than the plasma frequency. PIC-simulations reveal that for moderate magnetic field strengths previous results are re-produced, and the wakefield wavenumber spectrum has a clear peak at the inverse skin depth. However, when the cyclotron frequency is significantly larger than the plasma frequency, the wakefield spectrum becomes broad-band, and simultaneously the loss rate of the driving pulse is much enhanced. A set of equations for the scalar and vector potentials reproducing these results are derived, using only the assumption of a weakly nonlinear interaction.

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A. Holkundkar, G. Brodin, M. Marklund. 2011-02-03. Wakefield generation in magnetized plasmas. https://doi.org/10.1103/physreve.84.036409

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