Accession Number:

AD0760809

Title:

Plasma Modification Associated with Parametric Instabilities Driven by Intense Electromagnetic Waves. (Part 1). Parametric Instabilities and Ionospheric Modification. (Part 2)

Descriptive Note:

Final technical rept.

Corporate Author:

PRINCETON UNIV NJ PLASMA PHYSICS LAB

Personal Author(s):

• Hendel, Hans W.
• Oberman, C. R.
• Perkins, F. W.
• Valeo, E. J.

Report Date:

1973-03-01

Pagination or Media Count:

33.0

Abstract:

In part one, collective plasma phenomena similar to those occurring in the ionosphere upon incidence of intense electromagnetic waves were studied in laboratory Q-device plasmas. Two different propagation schemes have been investigated. In part 2, parametric instabilities, excited in the ionosphere by high power, HF transmitters with a frequency below the maximum ionospheric plasma frequency, produce nonlinear energy absorption and enhanced scattering of electromagnetic radiation which has been detected by the Arecibo Thomson-scatter radar. This paper reviews and extends both the linear and nonlinear saturation theory of parametric instabilities within the ionospheric context. Calculations are presented of the magnitude of the nonlinear energy absorption and of the angular dependence, frequency spectrum, and intensity of scattering from instability-created density fluctuations.

Descriptors:

• *IONOSPHERE
• *PLASMAS(PHYSICS)
• DISPERSION RELATIONS
• ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
• ELECTRON DENSITY
• HEATING
• INTERACTIONS
• IONS
• STABILITY

Subject Categories:

• Atmospheric Physics
• Plasma Physics and Magnetohydrodynamics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE