Experimental Observation of Nonlinear Synchronization due to a Single Wave
Abstract
A test electron beam is propagated in a specially designed traveling wave tube. It interacts with a nonresonant wave, and its energy distribution is recorded at the tube output. We report the direct experimental observation of the spatially periodic electron velocity bunching, and of a nonlinear effect on the electron velocity modulation: the synchronization of the particles with the wave responsible for Landau damping in plasma physics. The results are explained by second order perturbation theory in the wave amplitude.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review Letters
- Pub Date:
- March 2005
- DOI:
- Bibcode:
- 2005PhRvL..94h5003D
- Keywords:
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- 52.40.Mj;
- 52.20.Dq;
- 52.35.Fp;
- 52.35.Mw;
- Particle beam interactions in plasmas;
- Particle orbits;
- Electrostatic waves and oscillations;
- Nonlinear phenomena: waves wave propagation and other interactions