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Generation of a d.c. field by nonlinear electromagnetic waves in relativistic plasmas

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Abstract

A finite amplitude linearly polarized electromagnetic wave propagating in a relativistic plasma, is found to generate the longitudinal d.c. as well as the oscillating electric field at the second harmonic. In a plasma consisting of only electrons and positrons, these fields cannot be generated.

The evolution of the electromagnetic waves is governed by the non-linear Schrödinger equation which shows that the electromagnetic solitons are always possible in ultra-relativistic plasmas (electron-ion or electron-positron) but in a plasma with relativistic electrons and nonrelativistic ions, these solitons exist only if 1≪(KT e/meC2)<(2m i/15me);m e andm i being the electron and ion mass andT e the electron temperature. Both the d.c. electric field and the solitons provide a nonlinear mechanism for anomalous acceleration of the particles. This model has direct relevance to some plasma processes occurring in pulsars.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Indian Institute of Geomagnetism, Colaba, Bombay, India

    G. S. Lakhina

  2. Physical Research Laboratory, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, India

    B. Buti

Authors
  1. G. S. Lakhina
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  2. B. Buti
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Lakhina, G.S., Buti, B. Generation of a d.c. field by nonlinear electromagnetic waves in relativistic plasmas. Astrophys Space Sci 79, 25–36 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00655902

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00655902

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