Conversion of Electrostatic to Electromagnetic Waves by Superluminous Ionization Fronts

The conversion of static electric fields to electromagnetic radiation by the incidence of a superluminous ionization front on plasma is investigated. For extremely superluminous fronts, the radiation is close to the plasma frequency and is converted with efficiency of order unity. A proof-of-principle experiment was conducted using semiconductor plasma containing an alternately charged capacitor array. The process has important implications in astrophysical plasmas, such as supernova emission, and to laboratory development of compact, coherent, tunable radiation sources in the THz range.