Electromagnetic radiation from beam-plasma instabilitiesThe mechanism by which unstable electrostatic waves of an electron-beam plasma system are converted into observed electromagnetic waves is of great current interest in space plasma physics. Electromagnetic radiation arises from both natural beam-plasma systems, e.g., type III solar bursts and kilometric radiation, and from man-made electron beams injected from rockets and spacecraft. In the present investigation the diagnostic difficulties encountered in space plasmas are overcome by using a large laboratory plasma. A finite diameter (d approximately equal to 0.8 cm) electron beam is injected into a uniform quiescent magnetized afterglow plasma of dimensions large compared with electromagnetic wavelength. Electrostatic waves grow, saturate and decay within the uniform central region of the plasma volume so that linear mode conversion on density gradients can be excluded as a possible generation mechanism for electromagnetic waves.
Document ID
19830052984
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Stenzel, R. L. (California Univ. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Whelan, D. A. (California, University Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1982
Subject Category
Plasma Physics
Meeting Information
Meeting: Artificial particle beams in space plasma studies; Advanced Research Institute