Special issue on 'Interaction of electromagnetic waves with low-temperature plasmas'

Abstract

Plasma Sources Science and Technologyis pleased to announce a special issue focusing on the interaction of electromagnetic waves with low-temperature plasmas, to be published in the summer of 2014.In this special issue, we invite original papers relating to electromagnetic waves in plasmas and electromagnetic wave–plasma interactions. Papers are sought on fundamental aspects of such interactions as well as applications. As many partially ionized plasmas are generated using radio-frequency sources, there is a rich history of studies on the interaction of electromagnetic waves with plasmas. Microwave and helicon plasmas are two prominent sources that come to mind in this regard. In addition, a number of emerging studies on structured plasmas which produce unusual properties of propagating waves such as electromagnetic bandgaps have been recently reported in Plasma Sources Science and Technology and other research journals. As capacitively coupled plasmas are increasingly being operated in the very high frequency (VHF) range (>30 MHz) and CCP dimensions have increased, there has been significant interest in electromagnetic-wave effects in VHF CCP reactors. Electromagnetic wave–plasma interactions play a vital role in many plasma diagnostics including microwave interferometry. All the studies mentioned above have been pursued both experimentally and theoretically, and theoretical work has been performed both using linear and nonlinear schemes. Electromagnetic wave–plasma interaction remains a vibrant research topic and opportunities exist for innovations such as new plasma diagnostic methods using high-frequency waves (microwaves and terahertz waves) and new propulsion systems driven by microwave plasmas. This special issue is aimed at motivating more in-depth investigations of existing plasma sources and applications, as well as fostering new developments.Examples of research topics welcome for this special issue include, but are not limited to:Plasma photonic crystals and metamaterials, including in-plasma photonicsPlasma sources with effects of electromagnetic wavesElectromagnetic-wave propagation in and around plasmasNovel phenomena and devices related to interactions between plasmas and wavesTheoretical studies on electromagnetic-wave interaction with plasmas, including new techniques to address nonlinear phenomenaPlasma diagnostics utilizing electromagnetic wavesElectromagnetic analysis of large plasma-containing systemsResearch papers in PSST can be up to 14 pages (at approximately 900 words per page) in length, including space for figures, graphs and tables (figures are equivalent to about 150 words each). We encourage colour figures and multimedia clips for the online version of the special issue, for which there is no charge. As for our regular submissions there will be no page charges.You are invited to submit your paper by 30 March 2014. Submissions received after this date will be considered for the journal, but may not be included in the special issue. All submitted papers will be fully refereed to the journal's usual high standards and corresponding authors whose papers are published in the special issue will receive a complimentary copy. Upon publication, the issue will be widely promoted to the low-temperature physics community, ensuring that your work receives maximum visibility.