Space-charge waves in a coaxial plasma waveguide

Abstract

The propagation of space-charge waves through a coaxial waveguide containing an annular plasma in an axial magnetic field is investigated. Both plasma and cyclotron types of waves are analyzed in the electrostatic approximation. Equations for the determination of the dispersion relations are derived from the Poisson equation and the electron continuity and momentum transfer equations. A numerical study of the dispersion curves for azimuthally symmetrical waves is presented. A significant departure from the dispersion characteristics of a cylindrical plasma waveguide are found to occur unless the inner radius of the waveguide is small compared to the outer radius.