Relativistic Electromagnetic Waves in an Electron-Ion Plasma

Abstract

High power laser beams can drive plasma particles to relativistic energies. An accurate description of strong waves requires the inclusion of ion dynamics in the anal y sis. The e q uations governing the propagation cf relativistic alectroiagnetic waves in a cold electron-ion plasma can be reduced to two equations expressing conservation of energy-momentum of the system. The two conservtion constants are functions of the plasma stream velocity, the wave velocity, the wave amplitude and the electrbn-ion mass ratio. The'--dynamic parameter, expressing electron-ion momentum conservation in the laboratory frame, can.be regarded as an adjustable quantity, a suitable c1-oic-e , of which will yield self-consistent solutior.s when other plasma parameters have been specified. Circularly pQlarized.. electromagnetic waves and electrostatic plasma waves are used as illustrations.

Non-linear electromagnetic waves in magnetosphere of a magnetar

“…These waves travel as periodic wave trains without any change to their form, such as wave steepening or shock formation. Waves such as these may contribute to the formation of pulsar microstructures (Chian & Kennel 1987; Jenet, Anderson & Prince 2001).…”