SPACE-CHARGE WAVES IN A COAXIAL PLASMA WAVE-GUIDE

The propagation of space-charge waves through a coaxial waveguide cont aining an annular plasma in an axial magnetic field is investigated. B oth plasma and cyclotron types of waves are analyzed in the electrosta tic approximation. Equations for the determination of the dispersion r elations are derived from the Poisson equation and the electron contin uity and momentum transfer equations. A numerical study of the dispers ion curves for azimuthally symmetrical waves is presented. A significa nt departure from the dispersion characteristics of a cylindrical plas ma waveguide are found to occur unless the inner radius of the wavegui de is small compared to the outer radius. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics.