Generation of wakefields by electromagnetic waves in a magnetized electron–positron–ion plasma

Abstract

The generation of electrostatic wakefields by an ordinary mode radiation and a magnetic field-aligned circularly polarized electromagnetic (CPEM) wave in a magnetized electron–positron–ion (e–p–i) plasma is considered. It is found that the presence of the ions is essential for the generation of upper-hybrid wakefields by the ordinary mode radiation, while the magnetic field-aligned electron plasma wakefields are created by the ponderomotive force of CPEM only if either the ions or the external magnetic field is present in an e–p–i magnetoplasma. The electromagnetic wave generated wakefields can trap both the electrons and the positrons and accelerate them to very high energies.