Propagation and absorption of ion hybrid waves in a weakly inhomogeneous plasma laser. I

Abstract

The problem of electromagnetic wave propagation and absorption in weakly inhomogeneous plasma layer (in the geometrical optics approximation) is solved. The plasma density increases in the direction perpendicular to the magnetic field. The excitation of the waves occurs in the low density region. It is shown that deceleration of the wave along the magnetic field is necessary for its propagation into the plasma layer. As the wave penetrates the plasma layer its phase velocity reduces and at a certain plasma density the electromagnetic wave transforms into a plasma wave. The conditions for such a transformation of electromagnetic wave into plasma wave have been calculated in the hydrodynamic approximation.