EM Wave in Plasma: Reflection, Attenuation & Radiated Power

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the behavior of monochromatic plane electromagnetic (EM) waves in plasma, specifically addressing conditions under which such waves can exist when the frequency (\omega) is less than the plasma frequency (\omega_p). Participants explore concepts of reflection, attenuation, and radiated power in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether a monochromatic plane EM wave can exist in plasma when \omega < \omega_p, and if such a wave would be attenuated.
  • Another participant asserts that a wave with frequency less than the plasma frequency cannot propagate, suggesting that it would be completely reflected.
  • A different viewpoint argues that when \omega < \omega_p, the wave vector k becomes complex, leading to a spatial dependence characterized by attenuation, but this does not necessarily mean the wave cannot exist.
  • One participant emphasizes that the complex wave vector indicates that the wave does not propagate, aligning this with the concept of attenuation or evanescence.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement regarding the existence and propagation of EM waves in plasma when \omega < \omega_p. While some argue that such waves cannot propagate, others suggest that attenuation occurs without outright negation of existence.

Contextual Notes

The discussion involves complex wave vectors and their implications for wave propagation and attenuation, with participants noting that their solutions may not be valid in certain frequency domains.

Euclid
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Can a monochromatic plane EM wave exists in a plasma when \omega is less than \omega_p (the plasma frequency)? If so, is it attenuated?
I read in a text that a wave incident on a plasma with \omega &lt; \omega_p is completely reflected, but does this mean such a wave can't exist in a plasma?
If \omega &gt; \omega_p, is the (time averaged) power radiated just the same as a plane wave in vacuum ?

I get \mathbb{S} = \frac{cE^2}{8\pi \omega}\sqrt{\omega^2 - \omega_p^2}\textbf{z} for omega > omega_p.
 
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Your answer to power flux question (Poynting vector) should convince you that a wave whose frequency is less than the plasma frequency cannot propagate.
 
It does not convince me because my solution is not valid in that domain. For when omega < omega_p the wave vector k becomes complex, so the wave has spatial dependence ~e^(-alpha z) for some real alpha. In a wave guide, this implied attenuation, but here it seems to imply that the wave cannot propagate.
 
Euclid said:
It does not convince me because my solution is not valid in that domain. For when omega < omega_p the wave vector k becomes complex, so the wave has spatial dependence ~e^(-alpha z) for some real alpha. In a wave guide, this implied attenuation, but here it seems to imply that the wave cannot propagate.

That's precisely because it does not propagate and is what "attenuation" or evanescence means.
 

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