Abstract
Propagation of waves in a compressible, isotropic, collisionless electron plasma is studied. Optical and acoustic modes of propagation are examined in detail. Scattering and guiding properties of a plane interface between free space and plasma are investigated. It is found that electromagnetic energy in theory can be completely converted into plasma waves. A surface wave is found whose properties are affected slightly by the compressibility for <tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">(\omega_{p}/\omega) > \sqrt{2}</tex> . In contrast to the case of purely dielectric plasma, this surface wave has no high-frequency cutoff. Formal expressions for electromagnetic and acoustic fields excited by a magnetic line source in free space, parallel to the interface, are obtained.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
