Nonlinear Interaction of Cyclotron Harmonic Waves

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of nonlinear interaction between cyclotron harmonic waves propagating perpendicular to the static magnetic field in a warm magnetoplasma. It is demonstrated that the synchronism conditions for traveling wave parametric amplification, and passive mode conversion can easily be satisfied for such waves, and an analysis is carried out for a large‐signal pump wave interacting with two small‐signal waves. The theory employs the Vlasov equation and Maxwell's equations, and provides expressions suitable for numerical computation. Growth rates and corresponding pump powers are computed, and it is concluded that the effect should be observable in typical laboratory plasmas. The paper concludes with a discussion of possible device applications.