Surface modes in electron plasmas
Abstract
Density fluctuations in a semi-infinite collisional electron plasma are studied using "two-stream" distribution functions. Microscopic boundary conditions, imposed separately upon each of the velocity streams, are formulated with the inclusion of both specular reflection and diffuse scattering contributions. The strong damping of surface modes noted by previous investigators is shown to be, in part, a consequence of the use of pure specular reflection boundary conditions. With increasing diffuse scattering contributions the surface modes are seen to become an enhanced and identifiable spectral feature.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review A
- Pub Date:
- April 1977
- DOI:
- 10.1103/PhysRevA.15.1721
- Bibcode:
- 1977PhRvA..15.1721H
- Keywords:
-
- Collisional Plasmas;
- Density Distribution;
- Electron Plasma;
- Electrostatic Waves;
- Surface Waves;
- Distribution Functions;
- Kinetic Theory;
- Plasma-Electromagnetic Interaction;
- Plasma-Particle Interactions;
- Specular Reflection;
- Variational Principles;
- Plasma Physics