Topics on Nonlinear Wave-Plasma Interaction, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1987

The text presented here is an extended english version of a report by the authors which appeared in April 1983 at the Institute of Cosmical Research of the Academy of Sciences of the GDR in German. It covers several selected topics on nonlinear wave-plasma interactio,ll in a treatment based on a hydrodynamic plasma description. Thus, no attempt has been made to give a comprehensive view on all aspects of the interaction of strong electromagnetic waves with plasmas. The text is partly introductory and presents partly current results. The authors hope that it will be of interest to students and scientists not only in the field of plasma physics. The authors thank Akademie-Verlag, Berlin and Birkhiiuser-Verlag, Basel for their encouragement to prepare the English manuscript and Mrs. Ch. Geier for carefully typing the final off-set version. Klaus Baumgiirtel Konrad Sauer Berlin, in April 1986 Contents Preface 5 Introduction 9 General References 13 Part I Basic equations 15 1 Hydrodynamic plasma description 15 2 Basic equations for high-frequency processes 19 3 Basic equations for low-frequency processes 25 References 28 Part n Elements of linear wave propagation 31 4 Linear wave propagation in plasmas 31 4. 1 Linear wave equation 4. 2 Penetration of a plasma by an electromagnetic wave 34 4. 3 Resonance absorption 38 References 43 5 Structure resonances 45 5. 1 Resonances at s-polarization 46 56 5. 2 Sl'l'face wave resonances 5.

General References.- I Basic equations.- 1 Hydrodynamic plasma description.- 2 Basic equations for high-frequency processes.- 3 Basic equations for low-frequency processes.- References.- II Elements of linear wave propagation.- 4 Linear wave propagation in plasmas.- 4.1 Linear wave equation.- 4.2 Penetration of a plasma by an electromagnetic wave.- 4.3 Resonance absorption.- References.- 5 Structure resonances.- 5.1 Resonances at s-polarization.- 5.2 Surface wave resonances.- 5.3 Electrostatic structure resonances.- References.- III High-frequency nonlinear processes.- 6 Harmonic generation.- 6.1 Calculation of nonlinear source terms.- 6.2 Linear density profile.- 6.3 Non-monotoneous density profiles.- 6.4 Harmonic generation by anharmonic electron motion.- 6. 5 Self-interaction of transverse waves in a homogeneous plasma.- References.- 7 Stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) and two-plasmon- decay (TPD).- 7.1 Parametric instabilities and three-wave coupling.- 7.2 SRS and TPD in a homogeneous plasma.- 7.3 SRS and TPD in an inhomogeneous plasma.- 7.4 Mode coupling equations for SRS and TPD in an inhomogeneous plasma.- 7.5 Results of mode coupling analysis of SRS, TPD.- 7.6 Odd-integer half-harmonic radiation.- References.- IV Low-frequency nonlinear processes.- 8 Linearized plasma dynamics.- 8.1 Ion acoustic waves.- 8.2 Zakharov system, nonlinear Schrödinger equation.- References.- 9 Stimulated Mandelstam-Brillouin scattering (SBS).- 9.1 SBS in a homogeneous infinite plasma (temporal problem).- 9.2 Space-time development of SBS in a plasma of finite length.- 9.3 SBS as steady-state spatial problem.- 9.4 Convective SBS instability.- 9.5 Brillouin backscatter pulsations.- 9.6 Strong-coupling effects.- 9.7 SBS saturation by ion acoustic nonlinearities.- 9.8 The influence of plasma flow on SBS.- References.- 10 Strongly nonlinear stationary waves.- 0.1 Basic equations.- 0.2 Equilibrium states (envelope solitions, nonlinear skin effect).- 10.3 Nonlinear stationary waves with plasma flow.- 10.4 Double-humped solitons, shock-like structures.- References.- 11 Strongly nonlinear instationary interaction.- 11.1 Profile deformation at resonance absorption.- 11.2 Nonlinear stage of stimulated Mandelstam-Brillouin scattering.- 11.3 Superreflection.- 11.4 Nonstationary skin-effect; plasma acceleration; plasma confinement.- References.- References.