CONVERSION OF A SURFACE ELECTROMAGNETIC-WAVE AT THE BOUNDARY OF A TIME-VARYING PLASMA

A study is made of the conversion of surface electromagnetic waves pro pagating along the boundary of a semi-bounded plasma whose density inc reases rapidly in time under an external ionizing action. It is shown that the sudden increase in density is followed by the formation of tw o counterpropagating secondary waves in the system, the establishment of the spatial distribution of the steady current and magnetic field i n the semi-bounded plasma, and the generation of internal radiation. T he frequencies and amplitudes of the surface waves and the angular ene rgy distribution of internal radiation are calculated. Energy relation s corresponding to the conversion of waves are investigated.