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Generation of Alfvén waves by high power pulse at the electron plasma frequency
Author(s) -
Van Compernolle B.,
Gekelman W.,
Pribyl P.,
Carter T. A.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2004gl022185
Subject(s) - physics , plasma , atomic physics , cyclotron , electron , monochromatic color , computational physics , cutoff frequency , ion , helium , optics , nuclear physics , quantum mechanics
The interaction of a short high power pulse at the electron plasma frequency (f = 9 GHz, τ = .5 μs, P < 70 kW) and a magnetized plasma (n 0 ≤ 1.25 · 10 12 cm −3 , B 0 = 1.0 − 2.5 kG, Helium) capable of supporting Alfvén waves has been studied. The interaction leads to the generation of inertial shear Alfvén waves. The Alfvén waves are centered in an azimuthal layer corresponding to the location of the plasma frequency cutoff. The Alfvén waves are monochromatic with frequency within 10% of the ion cyclotron frequency. Spatial patterns of the wave were measured at different axial and radial locations.