Self-focusing of beams of electrostatic and electromagnetic waves because of their interactions with a nonlinear surface charge at a curved plasma boundary

The generation of electrostatic fields and arising plasma surface curvatures are studied here under influences of an electromagnetic beam normally incident on a sharp half-space cold plasma with immobile ions. Parameters of self-focusing that takes place for electrostatic surface waves appearing in such a plasma and propagating along the boundary are determined on the base of a single equation for the velocity potential of an electrons motion what was obtained as a consequence of transforming the initial equations and boundary conditions. Possible curvatures of a plasma surface, which can arise in this case, are able to cause a self-focusing of the electromagnetic beam of the external radiation in the medium surrounding the plasma after the reflection from the boundary. Main characteristics of the phenomenon are estimated on the base of the made description in the framework of the formulated simple model of a confined plasma.

Automated summary

The study focuses on the generation of electrostatic fields and plasma surface curvatures when an electromagnetic beam is incident on a cold plasma with immobile ions. By transforming the initial equations and boundary conditions, parameters for self-focusing of electrostatic surface waves in the plasma are determined. Potential curvatures of the plasma surface are examined for their potential to cause self-focusing of external radiation after reflection from the boundary in the medium surrounding the plasma.