Absorption of left-polarized microwaves in electron cyclotron resonance plasmas

Left-polarized ( m = −1) microwaves launched in an electron cyclotron resonance discharge are found to be absorbed efficiently, contrary to expectation. Investigation of microwave penetration into the plasma reveals the presence of large-amplitude, long-wavelength waves, along with bursts of short-w...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physics letters. A 1998-12, Vol.250 (1), p.137-143
Main Authors: Ganguli, A., Akhtar, M.K., Tarey, R.D., Jarwal, R.K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ECR
Guided waves
Microwaves
Plasma
Wave absorption
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Summary:Left-polarized ( m = −1) microwaves launched in an electron cyclotron resonance discharge are found to be absorbed efficiently, contrary to expectation. Investigation of microwave penetration into the plasma reveals the presence of large-amplitude, long-wavelength waves, along with bursts of short-wavelength waves localized mostly near the peaks of the long waves. By comparison with the theory developed, these waves are identified as the guided-wave modes of the system. The long waves are usually m = −1 waves even when m = +1 waves are launched, while the short waves comprise a mixture of m = ±1 modes. The absorption results are interpreted in terms of polarization reversal of these waves within the plasma.
ISSN:0375-9601
1873-2429
DOI:10.1016/S0375-9601(98)00833-0