Surface Flute Waves In Plasmas

The book presents results of a comprehensive study of various features of eigen electromagnetic waves propagating across the axis of plasma filled metal waveguides with cylindrical geometry. The authors collected in one book material on various features of surface flute waves, i.e. impact of waveguide design on wave dispersion, wave damping influenced by various reasons, impact of plasma density and external magnetic field inhomogeneity on the wave, and impact of waveguide corrugation and electric current on the wave. A variety of present surface waves applications and possible future applications is also included. Using the method of successive approximations it is shown how one can solve problems, which concern real experimental devices, starting from simple models. The book applies to both professionals dealing with problems of confined plasmas and to graduate and post-graduate students specializing in the field of plasma physics and related applications.

This book presents a comprehensive theoretical study of the electromagnetic eigenwaves propagating perpendicular to the axis of symmetry in various cylindrical waveguide-structures filled with magneto-active plasma. It is the second, updated and significantly expanded edition of our book “Surface Flute Waves in Plasmas. Theory and Applications”, published in 2014 in the “Springer Series on Atomic, Optical, and Plasma Physics”. First, the text is complemented by a study of the wave energy rotation around the axis of the waveguides. Second, excitation of these waves by an electron beam gyrating around the axis is investigated in detail. “Surface waves” means that these waves only propagate along plasma surfaces and not in uniform infinite plasmas. Their wave amplitudes decrease with going away from the plasma boundary into the plasma depth. “Flute” means that the axial wavenumbers kz of the waves in plasma cylinders are assumed to be zero, and the waves only propagate in azimuthal direction. In this case, the surfaces of constant density resemble fluted Greek columns. However, the presence of a small but finite kz can be taken into account by the method of successive approximations, using the theory of surface flute waves as zeroth approach. A variety of present applications of surface waves and possible future applications are also included. The book applies to both professionals dealing with physical and technological problems of confined plasmas and to graduate and post-graduate students specializing in the fíelds of electrodynamics, plasma physics and related applications.

First Published in 1992. This book arose as a result of the authors work on the review ‘Solitary Vortices in Plasmas’ written for the Soviet Journal of Plasma Physics. With the development of nonlinear wave theory some novel concepts came into use, such as solitary waves, solitary vortices, and solitons. There is still some inconsistency in the use of these terms. The study of solitary waves (solitons) should ultimately lead to a better understanding of the internal structure of elementary particles. That is why solitons are attracting great attention from physicists and mathematicians. The material presented in this book shows that solitons are also of interest in plasma physics and geophysics, where these concepts have many important applications.

This book is the first of its kind devoted to surface waves propagating across an external static magnetic field at harmonics of the electron cyclotron frequency. Based on comprehensive theoretical studies carried out over the course of about forty years, it presents unique material on various characteristics of these transverse waves, namely, dispersion properties and their dependence on numerous design peculiarities of plasma waveguides; damping due to interaction with the plasma surface (the kinetic channel) and collisions between plasma particles (the Ohmic channel); interaction with flows of charged particles moving above the plasma surface; parametric excitation due to the effect of an external radiofrequency field; and their power transfer for sustaining gas discharges. Clarifying numerous complicated mathematical issues it is a valuable resource for postgraduate students and experts in plasma physics, electromagnetic waves, and the kinetic theory of plasmas.