Theoretical and experimental study of plasma-wave coupling and propagation using phased waveguide arrays and electrostatic structures

A theoretical and experimental study of the coupling and propagation of electron plasma waves excited by waveguide arrays and electrostatic structures is presented. The waves are excited in a low temperature, linear plasma column in a homogeneous magnetic field. Under appropriate conditions efficient coupling to plasma waves can be obtained. These studies are of relevance to plasma heating in that the modes are identical to those that must be generated in any lower hybrid heating experiment